"The best way to ensure you have a skill pool to call on in future years is to take on your own apprentices and steer them through both formal and on-the-job training"
Peter Winebloom, Apprentices and Skills Manager, EEF
The Apprentice Skills Children and Learning Act 2009 makes employment the cornerstone of an apprenticeship. It means that the Skills Funding Agency will no longer finance or recognise programme-led apprentices starting their training without an employer.
All major political parties have given a strong commitment to apprenticeships. But we know there’s a tight spending review around the corner and a risk that funding will continue to decline. You could face a shortage of talented, young people entering manufacturing just as business conditions begin to ease and your need for workers with up-to-date competencies becomes even greater.
While there is still uncertainty about funding for 2010/2011 one message seems clear: the best way to ensure you have a skill pool to call on in future years is to take on your own apprentices and steer them through both formal and on-the-job training.
Flexible support for skills development
EEF’s Apprentice and Skills Centre in Birmingham offers training to the highest standard with our support for members’ skills development extending across the country.
For companies with groups of apprentices, we advise on the structure and delivery of in-house training, carrying out teaching if required.
We helped EEF member Caunton Engineering to locate good quality apprentice training providers locally after the company received a grant to develop training facilities and a simulated production line at its Nottinghamshire site.
We can help you, even if you are considering employing just one or two apprentices. We can broker your training provision, getting you the best deal while helping you recruit and select the right candidates.