A new range of apprenticeships that will be developed by the government’s so-called ‘trailblazer’ employers has been announced.
The first phase will include apprenticeships in energy and utilities, digital industries, financial services, life sciences and industrial sciences.
Businesses from each sector have worked together to produce new standards for key apprenticeship roles in their industry, the first of which will start to be delivered from September.
Now the businesses involved are working on standards for more occupations including workplace pensions, aerospace machinists, and laboratory and healthcare sciences.
Skills minister Matthew Hancock said the trailblazers had already made “great strides” in developing a better system for employers and apprentices.
“Their commitment to develop more apprenticeship standards demonstrates the support our reforms have from employers,” he said. “Apprenticeships give young people the chance to fulfill their potential while helping to drive business growth.”
Mr Hancock announced that a third phase will be launched later this year. The government is inviting expressions of interest from groups of employers until the beginning of August.
An announcement will be made on the final sectors and employers in September when work begins to design the new standards.
Related links:
Apprenticeships: funding reforms risk ‘corruption’ and ‘fraud’ warns training provider -February 2014
Apprenticeship reforms will change ‘culture of the whole country’, says minister - June 2014
