Forum Brief: Apprenticeships

Gordon Brown has unveiled plans for a new taskforce to tackle Britain's skills gap.

The chancellor was joined by education secretary Charles Clarke for the launch of the National Modern Apprenticeship Taskforce, which will examine the options available to students who opt for trade and vocational qualifications.

Forum Response: Business Services Association

Val Hiscock, spokeswoman for the Business Services Association, told ePolitix.com: "Modern Apprenticeships have been one of the rare success stories of recent schemes for vocational education, and the moves announced today which are designed to re-invigorate this scheme are to be applauded.

"As employers of large numbers of staff, Business Services Association members are only too aware of the skills shortages highlighted in the recent LSC report. We believe that the Modern Apprenticeship approach will be far more successful in addressing these problems than government's persistent drive to send more and more young people to university.

"However, real engagement from business will be crucial to the success of the programme, and the Task Force will need to find new ways of addressing the previously low take-up by employers in some areas of the business community."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Most of the skills required in the countryside are vocational, and during this review we will be calling for new opportunities to train young people for rural careers such as farming, saddlery and gamekeeping.

"There has been a lot of press coverage recently about the downturn in applications to agricultural colleges and this is something we must address urgently. By providing solid qualifications to our youth in the benefits of proper land and animal husbandry, we can secure a healthy future for the countryside and ensure we are leaving it in capable hands".

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Richard Wilson, business policy executive at the IoD, said: "Vocational education has been the Achilles heel of the British education system for too long. The failure to develop a high quality vocational education stream has resulted in skill shortages, harmed productivity in some businesses and impaired competitiveness.

"Modern Apprenticeships are in principle a good way to improve skill levels amongst the UK workforce. IoD members who use Modern Apprenticeships as a way of training their employees generally regard them favourably.

"However, the system suffers from poor completion rates and some training providers are of dubious quality. The IoD will be encouraging the government to address these deficiencies whilst encouraging employers to focus relentlessly on workforce development."

Forum Response: Electrical Contractors' Association

Denis Hird, head of education and training for ECA, told ePolitix.com: "The ECA is working closely with it's members in addressing the skills agenda. However, in order to increase competitiveness and productivity through having a well qualified workforce, employers are seeking government assistance in providing support funding for adult training".