Apprenticeship reform needed for industry growth

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board welcomes the Richard Review of Apprenticeships released November 27th. ECITB Apprenticeships are focused on delivering high quality training and qualifications to meet the growing demand for skills in the engineering construction industry.

The UK engineering construction industry is set to grow over the next ten years and the ECITB aims to attract 60,000 new skilled workers to bridge the skills gap. The 15 ECITB apprenticeship programmes offered prove important in attracting new people to the 100,000 strong engineering construction workforce that exists today.

The ECITB has been working closely with the Department for Business Innovation & Skills on its request for evidence as part of the Richard Review of Apprenticeships and concur with the following points raised:

• A definition of the term ‘apprenticeship’ must be formed to provide a common understanding
• Apprenticeships need more promotion within the education system to change popular perception that they are a lower status alternative to university
• Priority should be placed on the quality of apprenticeships, rather than increasing the number of apprentices
• Students and employers need to be more informed of the benefits of apprenticeships
• The funding system needs to be simplified to maximise investment and minimise waste
• Engagement between employers and key stakeholders needs to intensify to ensure apprenticeship frameworks meet industry needs

David Edwards, Chief Executive of ECITB commented, “We are already delivering on our promise to attract more people to the engineering construction industry through our apprenticeships programme, nevertheless there is still more progress to be made. Through assessments like the Richard Review it is possible to make a case for positive change and the ECITB fully support this. Improving our apprenticeships will mean developing relationships with employers and key stakeholders to improve quality, strategy and funding structure.”

                        The UK currently has the highest engineering construction output in Europe and ranks second in the world. The ECITB’s ability to deliver critical skills is essential to securing the UK’s place on the global engineering construction platform. At present the ECITB invest £10m annually, supporting 2200 apprentices in the UK to learn those valuable skills needed to drive the economy.

All ECITB apprenticeships are employer led and developed through collaboration with industry professionals. They are designed to meet employer needs and deliver the key skills needed for the future of the engineering construction industry.

“The Richard Review emphasises the need for collaboration with employers and I believe this is the way forward for all industry sectors. With employer investment comes an element of responsibility which will solidify relations between apprentices and their employer leading to long term successes,” said David Edwards.

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Notes to editors:

About the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

1. The ECITB is the statutory and charitable body set up      to secure engineering construction skills now and for the future. It has delivered training successfully      to over one million learners over 20 years, and is led and funded by      employers from the industry, ensuring the services are relevant and fit      for purpose
2. The ECITB provides professional advice, information,      skills development and qualifications to help individuals in engineering      construction and anyone interested in a career in the industry to      succeed. A dedicated website has      been set up to provide more detailed information http://careers.ecitb.org.uk/
3. The ECITB sets a range of occupational and training      standards, awards industry specific qualifications and invests £20 million      each year in support of apprentices and adult learners across a range of      skills. From entry level craft and technician programmes through to      advanced engineering project management skills. In 2011, 65,000 people      were supported through the ECITB’s range of approved programmes delivered      by a network of over 200 approved providers.
4. The ECITB strategy is built on three objectives, these      are to attract, qualify and develop talented people for the industry. The ECITB operating processes that      secure the depth, breadth and quality of service are: employer engagement, identification of      skills needs and priorities, stakeholder and provider engagement, delivery      and continuous improvement. The ECITB provides support to employers, their      employees and apprentices to design, build, maintain and decommission      nuclear, power, pharmaceutical, renewables, chemicals, food, water, oil      & gas facilities and other processes.

For more information visit www.ecitb.org.uk

01923 402135

jo.kareer@ecitb.org.uk

About the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

The ECITB is the statutory and charitable body set up to secure engineering construction skills now and for the future. It has delivered training successfully to over one million learners over 20 years, and is led and funded by employers from the industry, ensuring the services are relevant and fit for purposeThe ECITB provides professional advice, information, skills development and qualifications to help individuals in engineering construction and anyone interested in a career in the industry to succeed. A dedicated website has been set up to provide more detailed information http://careers.ecitb.org.uk/ The ECITB sets a range of occupational and training standards, awards industry specific qualifications and invests £20 million each year in support of apprentices and adult learners across a range of skills. From entry level craft and technician programmes through to advanced engineering project management skills. In 2011, 65,000 people were supported through the ECITB’s range of approved programmes delivered by a network of over 200 approved providers. The ECITB strategy is built on three objectives, these are to attract, qualify and develop talented people for the industry. The ECITB operating processes that secure the depth, breadth and quality of service are: employer engagement, identification of skills needs and priorities, stakeholder and provider engagement, delivery and continuous improvement. The ECITB provides support to employers, their employees and apprentices to design, build, maintain and decommission nuclear, power, pharmaceutical, renewables, chemicals, food, water, oil & gas facilities and other processes.

For more information visit www.ecitb.org.uk

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