UCU calls for collaboration to ensure apprenticeship success

A report out today predicts apprenticeships will contribute £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 Richard review of apprenticeships.

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. UCU said it fully supported employer involvement in apprenticeships, but said apprenticeships worked best with proper engagement from businesses, colleges and the local community.

UCU 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. UCU fully supports stronger employer incentives to train and develop apprenticeships.'