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News Release from: LSC Learning and Skills Council
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 March 2003
Time to back Modern Apprenticeships
In the wake of a new National Modern Apprenticeship Taskforce launched this week, employers in the manufacturing sector are being urged to back Modern Apprenticeships.
In the wake of a new National Modern Apprenticeship Taskforce launched this week, employers in the engineering and manufacturing sector are being urged by the Government and the Learning and Skills Council to back Modern Apprenticeships Under the leadership of Sir Roy Gardner, Chief Executive of Centrica, the Taskforce has plans to expand Modern Apprenticeships and plug the skills shortages in key sectors, including engineering and manufacturing
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Jan 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Taskforce will look closely at increasing opportunities for young people to participate in Modern Apprenticeships and how to engage employers more fully in the programme.
It will also recommend proposals to make Modern Apprenticeships more effective including modifications, where necessary, to clear blockages to employer participation.
Reporting to the Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Education and the Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council, The Taskforce brings together representatives from across industry and the education and training sector.
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Representing the engineering and manufacturing sector are Mike Turner CBE, Chief Executive of BAe Systems and Surinder Sharma, Director of Diversity Europe, Ford Motor Company.
At the launch Chancellor Gordon Brown said: "Skills are Britain's achilles heel - 8 million people have below Level 2 qualifications, including 20 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds.
And skills are critical to an individual's chance of success - to push a teenager into the world of work today without any qualification is to put them at lifetime risk of poverty, failure and wasted potential.
A skilled workforce is also essential for the wider health of our economy.
As global competition challenges every industry and almost every service, a flexible labour market is an even more necessary means of achieving full employment and higher productivity.
"Modern Apprenticeships, which were all but dying out recently, are now flourishing with 220,000 young people now gaining skills and qualifications through the scheme.
But more must be done and that is why the new Taskforce is so crucial - bringing together employers, trade unions, Government and the voluntary sector to ensure that the Modern Apprenticeship programme continues to grow and thrive".
Harry Walker, Apprenticeship Supervisor, Hewland Engineering, said: "If you don't train on the job, you won't get people with the right skills.
There is a real shortage of skilled craftspeople in the country at the moment and MAs are necessary to reverse that shortage.
Through MAs, we've recruited some talented individuals who have gone on to make a significant contribution to the company." Engineering Employers' Federation, Director General, Martin Temple, added: "The Modern Apprenticeship provides a comprehensive framework for training people to a very high standard, with the flexibility to tailor elements to the individual needs of business.
Whether you are a large or small company, Modern Apprenticeships are part of the solution to skill shortages, both now and in the future." Commenting at the launch Bryan Sanderson, Chair of the Learning and Skills Council said: "We are establishing Modern Apprenticeships as the principal vocational route to drive up skills in the workplace and help businesses become more productive, innovative and competitive.
Last year more than 10,000 young people started Modern Apprenticeships in the manufacturing sector, undoubtedly there is significantly more demand out there and we urge employers to join us and run MA programmes - for their own benefit, for the benefit of the economy and for an inclusive society." Employers requiring more information on Modern Apprenticeships should log onto www.realworkrealpay.info.
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