Be Skilled, Be Qualified, Be Paid!

Travelling the two miles recently from Donaghmore to Dungannon by Ulsterbus, I was drawn to the large advertising poster to the back of the driver. The content of which ran something like this;

APPRENTICESHIPS _ Which one works for you?

Be Skilled, Be Qualified, Be Paid

Visit www.apprenticeshipni.info

In these recessionary times the Stormont Committee for Employment and Learning has sought to establish why tens of thousands of young people in the North are disengaged from training and employment.
There are some 40,000 NEETS (not in employment, education and training) in the North, many of whom are not willing to participate in alternative provision.


Alongside the Department for Employment and Learning the committee has already made efforts to improve the provision of professional and technical training for young people.

It is important to establish why these young people are falling through the cracks and what sort of techniques are working to get them into training and education. There has never been a more important time to engage with these young people lest we lose an entire generation of workers. These young people are a priority for government - hence the wholesale advertising campaign that I came across on public transport and on public broadcasting. Last year, the committee published a report into its inquiry into the way forward for apprenticeships and DEL has pledged to implement the bulk of the committee's recommendations when the ApprenticeshipNI programme which is designed to provide alternative pathways into technical careers, comes up for renegotiation and renewal.

The committee believes that apprenticeships must be seen as the beginning of an open-ended career pathway - in much the same way as a university degree will provide long term career options. The six regional FE Colleges have a vital role to play in building the confidence of young people and helping them get the vocational and professional skills they need to make their way in the world. Colleges will endeavour to develop even better partnerships with schools and local communities to ensure that young people at risk get the opportunity to learn in a more 'grown-up' environment where there is a much greater range of options on offer. The learning offers we make our young people must meet the changing needs and demands of employers, and in supporting their education and training system, give them a head start in their search for work.

On the weekend of the 19th February local newsapers carried an extensive advertising campaign from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) offering a number of apprenticeships in their electricity infrastructure business.  The purpose of this 3- year apprenticeships is to develop highly skilled, enthusiastic and future employees. Training will be delivered to NVQ level 3, supplemented with practical 'on site' training in NI and beyond. Apprentices will also study for a BTEC National Certificate in Electrical Engineering. This award winning apprenticeship programme has been established for more than 35 years. Males and females are actively encouraged to apply irrespective of age. Closing date will be Friday 12th March 2010. More information available read more 

On the 11th February an article in the 'Irish News' revealed that students in NI are to be given the opportunity to take a giant leap into a career in space-related industries as part of an ambitious British government-led collaboration.

Plan were unveiled to create an industry in Britain and N. Ireland woth £40 billion a year and 100,000 new jobs. The 20 year vision aims to expand the UK's share of the global space market from 6% to 20% by 2030.  Part of the vision involves a campaign to inspire young people at schools and universities about career opportunities in space and increase the take-up of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at school and universities.

It will also lead to the doubling of the number of space industry apprenticeships.

For more information why not check out the NI Aerospace industry on the website.

In addition to the two specific sectors referred to already it would be important to outline to young people the opportunites that may exist locally and nationally within other key sectors. In fact, nationally Apprenticeships are available in 190 types of job roles, and are a great way to get a head start in a chosen career. For many people they are the optimal way of training, developing and skilling people for the future.One of the main priorities of government is to encourage more employers to offer apprenticeship places. One of the key objectives is to ensure that apprenticeships become a mainstream career option for young people. By 2020, the target is to have one in five young people taking an apprenticeship. It is very important for careers staff in schools to liaise closely with their careers adviser (DEL) to keep themselves fully informed of the 'nuts and bolts' of the apprenticeship programme.

In order to change perceptions about apprenticeships one needs to highlight the real benefits that come with the programme. The financial benefits are clear.  A level 3 apprentice will earn on average over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime, and for level 2 this is £73,000.  Additionally nine out of ten apprentices are in work or education on completing their apprenticeships.  Completion rates are improving all the time. Research from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) shows that 54% of apprentices who complete an Advanced Apprenticeship show an interest in pursuing a degree-level equivalent course. NAS's goal will be achieved when we see young people understanding that taking up an apprenticeship is an equal choice alongside going to college, university or entering the workplace.

APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT

What type of apprenticeship programmes have your pupils engaged in over the past six years?
Where are they now?
How many have moved from apprenticeship through to higher education courses? (HNC/Foundation degrees etc)
Using your KS4 pupils how difficult would it be to compile a short project for exhibition in the school foyer to highlight the importance of this career option? 
Working closely with your DEL careers Adviser draw up a companion notice-board advertising apprenticeship opportunities for young people.  You could begin the board with the NIE Apprenticeship advert.