Government announces more apprenticeships for the industry
The first apprenticeship programme for older adults was unveiled last week by John Denham, the Skills Secretary of State. It was part of an announcement of a massive expansion of training schemes.
He has promised to increase the total number of apprenticeships from 250,000 to more than 400,000 by 2010/11 as part of the government's plans for skills and learning.
Thirty thousand of those places will be targeted at adults aged over 25, in a £90m scheme designed both to give the unemployed a second chance, and to help workers into better jobs.
However, there has been a word of caution from the industry still concerned about the high cost of taking on an adult apprenticeship and the worries of being saddled with an employee who is unsuitable for a long term position within the workforce.
David Rea, Skills Manager at Marine South East, believes that this is a positive move by the Government "I think that any move to increase apprenticeship opportunities is a good thing, it shows a serious commitment to training more mature adults who are more likely to show a real commitment to the industry.
"Often older trainees bring with them a set of skills that they have learned in other sectors and have experience of what is expected of them in the workplace."
IBP Training & Employment have been running an LSC-funded adult apprenticeship training scheme for the marine industry. All 20 places on the scheme have been filled but there may be the possibility of further funding in the future for interested companies.
If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships for young people or adults contact David by emailing david@marinesoutheast.co.uk.
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