Apprenticeships Devalued?

The push to create apprenticeships fast has devalued their brand, says Ofsted.

16:21 19 October 2015

Apprenticeships, which are very common in service sectors, are not providing sufficient training that improves apprentices’ capabilities. Ofstead Sir Michael Wilshaw says that some learners are not even aware that they are on apprenticeship schemes. He added that the scheme is sometimes covering workers’ pre-existing skills.

 

Skills minister Nick Boles said: "Putting an end to poor quality apprenticeship training lies at the heart of our reforms of apprenticeships.

 

"Ofsted's report backs up the findings of our 2012 review and provides further evidence for our decision to put employers rather than training providers in the driving seat."

 

One of those people who completed an apprenticeship is Joseph Turner, who now feels that he had wasted one year on the scheme.

 

He said: "When I first started I could think of nothing better than gaining a qualification through my work that would put me in a good standing for the future.

 

"However, I very quickly learned that it was simply a way to underpay workers for generally basic work.

 

"I was earning around £5 per hour but was let go the moment I finished my apprenticeship scheme. The company then went on to hire an even lower paid apprentice in the same position.

 

"I have now waited six months and the training providers still haven't sent out my certificate due to a massive backlog of certificates due.

 

"I now fear my apprenticeship was useless, and have struggled to find relevant work through it."