Apprenticeship System Backed by Select Committee
An Inquiry by the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, has called for a new approach to apprenticeships, following evidence from a Northamptonshire based scheme.
Construction Futures has developed a way to secure apprenticeships through either the planning system or public sector construction contracts. Having established Construction Futures in 2009, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation presented compelling evidence when the Committee visited Northampton in March 2012.
WNDC’s Chief Executive, Peter Mawson said “Working with industry experts, we have established the process to embed apprenticeship requirements in construction contracts. Once a development is on-site, Construction Futures works with local colleges to supply suitably skilled trainees. Although our system is construction-related, any public sector contract, ranging from IT to Social Care, could follow the same methodology. The potential is huge”
Recognising this opportunity, the Committee’s Report – Apprenticeships, recommends that the Government encourages the employment of apprentices in its procurement contracts. It suggests a benchmark of at least one additional apprenticeship for every £1m awarded through public procurement.
Peter Mawson added “Naturally, we’re delighted that the Committee has grasped the power of public procurement to deliver apprenticeships. In the current economic climate, with widespread youth unemployment, it could be a very powerful approach”
Construction Futures also secures apprenticeships through the planning system. It does this by forecasting and agreeing apprenticeship opportunities when planning applications are determined. It then embeds the requirements into legal agreements tied to a planning permission. It is an approach that has worked successfully in Northamptonshire and could be applied by local authorities nationwide.
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Categories: Daventry, Northampton, Towcester