Govt publishes draft Apprenticeship Bill

Wed 16 Jul 2008 at 2:08 PM

The government has published its draft Apprenticeship Bill, which it hopes will herald a uniform level of training for young people.

It hopes to give its apprenticeship scheme legal backing, set out clearly the relationship between its parts and redefine the 'blueprint' outlining what apprenticeships should contain.

"This Bill now ensures that apprenticeships are a badge of quality, without question," skills minister, David Lamy said.

He insisted they were not just a means of providing employers with workers but "about young people learning from older people, about handing knowledge on to future generations".

Key measures in the Bill aim to ensure there are enough places by 2013, outline the role of the New Apprenticeship Service and bring together services under an apprenticeship-matching scheme.

Minister for schools and learners, Jim Knight said: "We anticipate that around one in five of all young people will be undertaking an apprenticeship in the next decade."

Currently, youths aged from 16-19 studying on a course which involves at least 12 hours per week guided learning can apply for Education Maintenance Allowance, the Department for Work and Pensions has advised.

Apprenticeships will cover a range of careers, help prepare young workers for industrial and commercial jobs, and improve recruitment opportunities in Worcester and across the country.