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23/06/2009
Apprenticeships Get Fillip
Plans which will help more young people to become apprentices, setting them on the path to career success, have been announced.
The Stormont Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey revealed the new Programme-Led Apprenticeships during an Assembly debate on the Employment and Learning Committee's report on Monday entitled, 'The Way Forward for Apprenticeships'.
After the debate Sir Reg said: "I welcome the Committee's report and fully acknowledge the findings that the present economic situation has made it increasingly difficult for would-be apprentices to find paid-for employment whilst completing their training.
"It is for this reason that I am introducing the Programme-Led Apprenticeships which will give 16 and 17 year old school leavers the opportunity to gain a full apprenticeship qualification in a chosen skill area.
"They will access this through a combination of simulated learning and time spent with an employer on a work placement, one day per week," he said.
The Minister also called on HIS colleagues to find work placements in the public sector and to use public procurement contracts to lever placements from within the public sector supply chains.
Speaking earlier, the Sinn Féin MLA who chairs the Committee for Employment and Learning, Sue Ramsey had called for such apprenticeships to be encouraged as a way to protect the skills' base and aid economic recovery.
"Since the beginning of the economic downturn the numbers of apprentices being made redundant has grown each month.
"Unfortunately the reality is that at the moment many employers see investment in skills development at a time like this to be a luxury they cannot afford. Given the recession however it is essential that businesses continue to invest in building the skills base to help the economic recovery," she said.
She noted that one especially worrying factor holding back the evolution of apprenticeships is that they "do not enjoy a high degree of status and are often seen as a second choice career pathway when compared with the university route".
"This must be challenged and the Committee for Employment and learning has put forward a number of proposals to encourage apprenticeship uptakes and to ensure that the skills base that is required is met," she said.
Meanwhile, the Minister's initiative, which will increase spending on apprenticeship training by an additional £6.8million, will begin in September.
(BMcC/JM)
The Stormont Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey revealed the new Programme-Led Apprenticeships during an Assembly debate on the Employment and Learning Committee's report on Monday entitled, 'The Way Forward for Apprenticeships'.
After the debate Sir Reg said: "I welcome the Committee's report and fully acknowledge the findings that the present economic situation has made it increasingly difficult for would-be apprentices to find paid-for employment whilst completing their training.
"It is for this reason that I am introducing the Programme-Led Apprenticeships which will give 16 and 17 year old school leavers the opportunity to gain a full apprenticeship qualification in a chosen skill area.
"They will access this through a combination of simulated learning and time spent with an employer on a work placement, one day per week," he said.
The Minister also called on HIS colleagues to find work placements in the public sector and to use public procurement contracts to lever placements from within the public sector supply chains.
Speaking earlier, the Sinn Féin MLA who chairs the Committee for Employment and Learning, Sue Ramsey had called for such apprenticeships to be encouraged as a way to protect the skills' base and aid economic recovery.
"Since the beginning of the economic downturn the numbers of apprentices being made redundant has grown each month.
"Unfortunately the reality is that at the moment many employers see investment in skills development at a time like this to be a luxury they cannot afford. Given the recession however it is essential that businesses continue to invest in building the skills base to help the economic recovery," she said.
She noted that one especially worrying factor holding back the evolution of apprenticeships is that they "do not enjoy a high degree of status and are often seen as a second choice career pathway when compared with the university route".
"This must be challenged and the Committee for Employment and learning has put forward a number of proposals to encourage apprenticeship uptakes and to ensure that the skills base that is required is met," she said.
Meanwhile, the Minister's initiative, which will increase spending on apprenticeship training by an additional £6.8million, will begin in September.
(BMcC/JM)
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£25m Apprenticeships Fund Will Build Skills For Growth
Visiting Jaguar Land Rover in the Midlands, Prime Minister David Cameron today announced details of a £25 million fund that will support up to 10,000 Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships, giving firms in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering the hi-tech skills they need to grow.
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Visiting Jaguar Land Rover in the Midlands, Prime Minister David Cameron today announced details of a £25 million fund that will support up to 10,000 Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships, giving firms in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering the hi-tech skills they need to grow.
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Consultation On New Employment Programme Launched
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today launched a public consultation on a proposed new employment programme for Northern Ireland. The new programme, which has been called provisionally Steps 2 Success (NI), will replace the Department’s main adult return to work provision, Steps to Work, which was introduced in September 2008.
23 March 2009
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14 January 2014
2014 Apprentice Of The Year Competition Launches
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today launched the 2014 Apprentice of the Year competition. Nominations are now open for the two award categories; Apprentice of the Year Award, and Innovation in Partnership Award (for Employers and Training Suppliers).
2014 Apprentice Of The Year Competition Launches
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today launched the 2014 Apprentice of the Year competition. Nominations are now open for the two award categories; Apprentice of the Year Award, and Innovation in Partnership Award (for Employers and Training Suppliers).
12 February 2013
Farry Announces Major Review Of Apprenticeships
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today announced a major review of apprenticeships and youth training in Northern Ireland.
Farry Announces Major Review Of Apprenticeships
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today announced a major review of apprenticeships and youth training in Northern Ireland.
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