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Government doubles apprenticeships commitment

Ministers have called for urgent action from the public sector to increase apprenticeship numbers during the global downturn. They argue that this is key if more people are to get the jobs they want in tougher times.

Over 1,000 apprentices will work in central government departments and agencies this academic year, more than double the original target, Skills Secretary John Denham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced last week - but they call for a further expansion.

In January 2008, civil service employers committed to expanding the number of apprenticeship places available in the public sector with 500 new apprentices beginning their training in government departments and agencies from September this year through a pathfinder, co-ordinated by their sector skills council, Government Skills.

The new apprentices span sixteen government departments, including: the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills; the Department for Children, Schools and Families; the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice.

Already over 100 employees have begun their apprenticeships in the civil service covering a range of jobs including engineering, working as immigration officers, working in Ministers' offices and driving test examiners. Many of the apprenticeships will include a qualification in business administration, IT, team leading and customer service. The Ministry of Justice and UK Border Agency have committed to 350 and 180 apprenticeship places respectively.

At a summit in central London last week, Ministers called on public sector leaders from organisations such as councils and NHS Trusts to follow the private sector's example and grasp the opportunities offered by apprenticeships to improve the skills of new recruits and their existing workforce. They argued that in the current economic climate it is even more important than ever before that the number of public sector apprentices keeps pace with those in the private sector.

Skills Secretary John Denham said: "We have rescued apprenticeships with the number of people taking them trebling since 1997. And we want to make them a mainstream option for young people and adults.

"However the public sector has not kept pace with other employers in embracing the opportunities offered by apprenticeships. It is essential that we now match its growth. Public sector apprenticeships are going to be even more important in the current economic climate, and they offer a key opportunity to enable young people and adults to reach their potential and help see us through the current difficulties.

"The fact that these apprentices are involved in so many activities across the Government is practical proof that apprenticeships are changing. It is no longer just about construction and plumbing, but about training people for great career jobs right across the workforce.

"And in my department, I have ensured that we practise what we preach with an apprentice in my office and further apprentices across my department. But while the civil service is showing the way ahead, the wider public sector needs to do more and I will be working with colleagues across government to improve the take-up of apprenticeships in other areas such as health and local government."

Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said: "Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular option for young people and we have successfully doubled the number of places available in the last decade. It is therefore right that Government leads by example and these public sector apprenticeships will offer real opportunities for people to gain the experience and skills they need.

"We have a proud history of apprenticeship in this country and they provide a valuable pathway directly into the world of work for both school leavers and older people. As in business, these public sector apprenticeships will unlock talent and allow people to learn while they work. I hope that, beyond Government departments and agencies, other public sector bodies - like schools, councils and health authorities - will look to offer apprenticeship posts as well."

Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell said: "The civil service apprenticeship pathfinder is an important step in our commitment to investing in staff so that they have the skills they need to do their jobs effectively. The pathfinder is a great example of the value Government Skills adds by supporting departments to work collectively to increase the numbers of apprenticeships offered in the civil service."

DIUS Permanent Secretary Ian Watmore said: "It is vital that we equip those working in the civil service with the skills they need to offer the public services that taxpayers deserve. The apprenticeships announced today are a good example of how the civil service is investing in the skills needs of its staff.

"I am particularly proud that my own department is showing the way, along with the rest of Whitehall, in embracing apprenticeships with places in ministers' offices and one in my own office."

External links

For more information about apprenticeships, visit:
The Learning and Skills Council's apprenticeships website

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