Apprenticeship: recent developments, 3rd report of session 2007-08, report with evidence

This short report from the Economic Affairs Committee (HLP 137, session 2007-08), follows up on an earlier report (HLP 138, session 2006-07, Apprenticeship: a Key Route to Skill , ISBN 9780104013229), published in July 2007. Along with a Government response (Cm. 7228, ISBN 9780101722827), there have been a number of Government proposals on vocational education and training, along with the Apprenticeship Reform Bill which is scheduled to go through Parliament in 2008/09.The Committee has set out a number of conclusions, including: that the Committee welcomes the Government’s expansion of apprenceships but remains unconvinced that the Government’s plans including the level of funding will actually increase the take up of apprenticeships; that the division of responsibility for apprenticeships between two government Departments is clearly sub-optimal; that the National Apprenticeship Service needs to be the initial point of contact for employers; that staff levels at the Learning and Skills Council need to increase; that there should be greater involvement between employers, and in particular SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) in respect of arranging apprenticeships, along with funding being provided through employers; that the continuing lack of progression from apprenticeship to higher levels of education must be addressed; and, that schools need to fully inform pupils about the option of apprenticeships.