瓜神网 calls for collaboration to ensure apprenticeship success

A predicts apprenticeships will contribute 拢3.4bn a year to the economy over the next decade* and the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, made encouraging noises about apprenticeships in the government's response to the .

Both Doug Richard, who carried out the review at the end of last year, and the government have called for businesses to be more involved in designing apprenticeships. 瓜神网 said it fully supported employer involvement in apprenticeships, but said apprenticeships worked best with proper engagement from businesses, colleges and the local community.

瓜神网 general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Apprenticeships should be this country's success story and we hope there is a genuine will from government and businesses for this to happen. Colleges have the expertise to deliver the courses the country needs and to ensure their success we need engagement and collaboration with business and the local community.

'There needs to be a clearer definition of exactly what constitutes an apprenticeship and there should be industry-specific targets for apprentices to achieve. 瓜神网 fully supports stronger employer incentives to train and develop apprenticeships.'