The Business Secretary Vince Cable took the opportunity of the first business and skills question time in the House of Commons after the reshuffle to publicise high employer and learner satisfaction rates for apprenticeships.
Mr Cable referred to the findings of a recent BIS survey on apprenticeships which found that almost 90% of apprentices are satisfied with their training and 88% of employers are satisfied with the programme.
Commenting on this, Paul Warner, AELP’s Director of Employment and Skills, said: “To us, the old adage of ‘the customer is always right’ seems particularly appropriate and while there are certainly no grounds for complacency over the quality of apprenticeship provision, AELP would want to reiterate that any desire to regulate the programme further could be seen as disproportionate and indeed possibly counterproductive when we are trying to get more SMEs offering places.”
In the same question time, the new skills minister Matthew Hancock praised the progress made on expanding apprenticeships and committed the government to do even more. For more information read the exchanges on apprenticeships in the Commons.
These impressive figures follow the recent launch by APM and Skills CFA of a Higher Apprenticeship in Project Management, which is equivalent to the first year of a degree course. It has been created in conjunction with employers and training providers, with more than 80 organisations being actively involved in the consultation and design to ensure the qualification reflects current demand in the market.
Among the first employers to commit to the scheme are British Airways, who will be taking on five apprentices in September and EC Harris who is looking to develop their next generation of project managers. Apprentices also have the opportunity to join Rolls Royce and BAE Systems as part of the programme.
The Level 4 Diploma in Project Management, which forms part of the Higher Apprenticeship, will be awarded by EAL resulting in accreditation from the regulatory body of qualifications and examinations Ofqual.
If your organisation is interested in learning more about employing apprentices please contact APM. Alternatively, for more information about the scheme please visit the Higher Apprenticeship in Project Management webpage.