Colleges deliver high quality apprenticeships
3rd April 2012
For immediate release: Tuesday 3 April 2012
Colleges deliver high quality apprenticeships
BEGINS
In response to the BBC1 Panorama television programme on television last night, the 157 Group of colleges would like to reinforce the message that further education colleges deliver high-quality apprenticeships which are valued by both employers and the learners. Apprenticeships give young people a broad base of skills that prepares them for employment and they are vital to the Government's strategy for economic recovery.
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group said, "Colleges deliver high quality apprenticeships which provide young people with the skills and experience needed to progress into skilled employment. The Government and FE Minister John Hayes is right to champion their cause as they enable learners to both learn and earn at the same time and they should be taken up more widely.
"Last year we published our policy paper entitled Expanding apprenticeships - colleges are key to employability; reinforcing how local colleges work with individual trainees and employers at every stage of their journey - from pre-apprenticeship programmes to higher-level apprenticeships that are equivalent to a degree. In our paper we highlighted the return on investment that apprenticeships offer for employers and called for even greater investment. We must remember that colleges are community assets and not seeking to make profits, it is not in their interests to provide poor quality education."
Marilyn Hawkins, chair of the 157 Group added, "It is crucial that we do not undermine the true value and worth of apprenticeships and all that they offer to learners. In our Apprenticeships case studies launched last May there is a wonderful selection of best practise examples of employer, college and apprentice partnerships and it is this we should be highlighting to encourage greater investment from employers."
ENDS
Notes for editors
About the 157 Group
The 157 Group represents 27 of the most influential colleges in the FE sector. It was formed in 2006 in response to paragraph 157 of Sir Andrew Foster's report on the future of further education colleges, in which he argued that principals of large successful colleges should play a greater role in policymaking.
CONTACT Gemma Knott 07581 354 750
Email [email protected]
The 157 Group Limited P O Box 58147 London SW8 9AF
Website: www.157group.co.uk
