UCU welcomes colleges' role in major new apprenticeship contract

The union says it believes colleges, with their years of teaching experience, are best-placed to ensure apprenticeships are of a high quality and the taxpayer is getting good value for money.

The group of 36 colleges across the UK will work with property, residential, construction and services group, Kier, to provide apprenticeships in construction, highways, engineering, project management and professional apprenticeships.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We welcome colleges playing a key role in this major apprenticeship contract and we're pleased to see colleges working together rather than in competition.

'Our colleges have expert trained staff with years of teaching experience, making them the best way to ensure apprenticeships are of a high quality and the taxpayer is getting good value for money.

'Apprenticeships are just one part of the vital work further education colleges do to help all those who want to gain new skills.'