New booklet to open up Apprenticeships

At Congress on Tuesday the TUC, in conjunction with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), published a new booklet to help union representatives and negotiators increase the number of apprenticeship places in the UK and to secure a better deal for the apprentices. The booklet was launched at a packed fringe meeting organised jointly by the TUC and the LSC. It sets out the details of the new apprenticeship programmes and how union members can help promote apprenticeships to employers and secure support from employers for the apprentices.

The Government re-launched its apprenticeships programme in May this year to encourage greater participation from employers and young people and this autumn is launching a pilot scheme for over 24-year-olds and a new scheme for 14-16-year-olds.

Apprenticeships are available in over 160 sectors and, with Sector Skills Councils taking on increased responsibility for apprenticeships, unions are in a strong position to influence the apprenticeship programme at every stage, says the new booklet.

The TUC believes that union learning representatives are currently doing a great job promoting learning at work and encouraging employers to take on apprentices. The booklet highlights how union reps can help ensure high quality apprenticeship programmes and includes suggestions on what unions can include in learning agreements to help apprentices get the best possible deal.

To help boost the take-up of apprenticeships, the booklet emphasises how employers can benefit from the new apprenticeship programmes:

· Organisations offering apprenticeships are viewed as good places to work

· The training elements of apprenticeships are Government-funded

· Employers who take on apprentices are taking a long-term view of their business

· Intermediate level skills gaps can be filled by taking on apprentices

· Union support for apprentices can lead to increased retention.

Commenting on the new booklet, TUC Deputy General Secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: 'Unions have a fine tradition of leading the way in learning at work and increasing opportunities for workers. The new apprenticeship programmes represent a fantastic opportunity for union reps to negotiate improvements in employers’ approach to learning in the workplace. This booklet will equip them with all the necessary tools to start those negotiations.'

David Way, Director of Skills at the LSC said: 'Apprenticeships are highly regarded by individuals and their employers. This is a key area in which the LSC and unions work successfully in partnership. Apprenticeships build confidence and enable individuals to make a real success of their jobs and careers. The new booklet will help encourage this successful formula to continue.'

Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, said: ' The new booklet demonstrates how unions, from representatives on the ground to national officers, can increase business involvement in apprenticeships. This builds on the highly successful Union Learning Fund and the invaluable work of the network of Union Learning Representatives, now with over 7,500 trained. '

Tony Dubbins, General Secretary of the Graphical, Paper and Media Union (GPMU) and Chair of the TUC Learning and Skills Task Group chaired the fringe meeting. He said: 'As the Government quite rightly acknowledges, union reps have played a critical role in promoting training and learning within the workplace. This new booklet offers reps valuable information with which to engage employers and their work colleagues, to improve the skill levels of the workforce and close the productivity gap - something the UK economy desperately needs.'

Apprenticeships: A guide for union reps and negotiators

Press release (600 words) issued 15 Sep 2004