Gordon Brown recognises how supporting today's young workforce is a key to tackling the downturn. Do you agree?
Posted by: Dermot Cooney | 02.03.2009 02:48pm
I must agree with the emphasis on apprenticeships, particularly the emphasis that you bring to the YA scheme that has been very effective and welcomed by both employers and learners alike, but that seems to have less money associated with it year on year. The quality of IAG in regards to vocational pathways needs radical reform and parity of esteem between these and the traditional academic routes need to be addressed and soon, as even young people who want to explore this avenue can find it hard to get the right information. In regards to small businesses, they find the barriers to taking on apprenticeships are many and varied, particularly in relation to wage support, the levy for those over 19 and inflexible delivery that does not take into account the differences between micro and SME organisations
Apprenticeships
Posted by: John West | 10.09.2009 12:03pm
Dermot's point about IAG is of course quite right. When we did the 'Cassels' study in 2001 it was very obvious that many young people and parents, while having a generally favourable image of apprenticeship had very little idea of basics such as how long they lasted, still less how to go about finding one.
I'm not so sure, though, about 'parity of esteem'. I can't think of a country where upper secondary general education is not esteemed higher than practically any vocational option at this age (University is different: think law and medicine). We should be aiming for 'esteem' rather than a rather unrealistic target of 'parity'. Search for 'parity' in vocational education has taken us down some blind alleys in the past, such as attempting to mimic academic ideas of rigour, grading, testing, etc which don't really fit the vocational model. I think apprenticeship has a reasonable degree of 'esteem' in the public mind - other vocational options probably rather less so. We should concentrate on ensuring that the actual delivery of apprenticeship actually matches the relatively favourable public image; too often it does not, and I am afraid that measures to make it more 'flexible', for example by shortening durations, trying to extend the 'brand' to training for older, established, workers, or taking short cuts with off-the-job training all risk damage to the brand rather than enhancing it.
Apprenticeships
Posted by: Edge | 13.03.2009 02:43pm
Dermot raises a significant point regarding the information, advice and guidance(IAG) available for apprenticeships.
The LSC identified a lack of IAG for those enrolled in and considering apprenticeships as a key concern in a recent report.
Perhaps an even bigger point touched on by Dermot is the negative perceptions some have of practical courses. This lack of perceived equality with academic learning is perhaps one of the biggest barriers apprenticeships and similar qualifications have to face.
Does anyone have any examples of these sorts of disparaging attitudes being directed towards practical learning?
How can we break through such prejudices?