CIPD offer advice to boost quality of apprenticeships

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has unveiled guidance for employers to boost the quality of apprenticeships and the benefit for employers and taxpayers.

The guide, which is designed to cement high quality apprenticeships as a viable alternative route into professions, has been launched as part of National Apprenticeship week.

Nearly a third of employers surveyed by the CIPD currently offer apprenticeships. Of those who don't, most believe that apprenticeships are not appropriate for their organisations. The guide is designed to show employers of all sectors and sizes how they can make apprenticeships work. The CIPD has stressed that quality is just as important as quantity and apprenticeships will fail to meet aspirations unless:

• Apprenticeships are embedded in a workforce planning approach as part of a long-term strategy on workforce growth and skills development.

• Relationships with training managers are carefully managed.

• Employers understand the legal framework.

• The training apprentices receive on and off the job are high-quality and tailored to employers needs.

• The apprentice is placed at the heart of the apprenticeships programme and employers provide ongoing support, pastoral care and mentoring.

• Alternative and more informal recruitment methods are considered, especially when likely candidates are very young and have no prior work experience.

• Employers provide fair access to their apprenticeship schemes and widen the talent pool from which they recruit in terms of gender, ethnicity and diversity.

Katerina Rudiger, skills adviser at the CIPD, said: "Good quality apprenticeships can offer an alternative, high-quality route into work and help improve youth employability. They are also a useful tool to achieve a more balanced skills profile in the UK and respond to employer's skill needs.

"Recent government policy has been to encourage more employers to offer apprenticeships but if employers who've never hired apprentices before are being incentivised to do so, it's vital that they get the guidance they need to ensure the apprenticeships serve the needs of employers and employees alike."

John Hayes, Minister of State for further education and skills, said: "Evidence shows that apprentices help boost productivity and give businesses a competitive edge, with most recouping their investment in less than three years."

Dean Royles, chairman of the CIPD board and National Apprenticeships ambassador, added: "Apprenticeships are an effective means for employers to develop their own talent. They also offer a viable alternative for people looking for a direct and affordable route to skilled jobs and careers.

"The CIPD's new guide gives practical advice to help employers tailor quality apprenticeship programmes that provide an invaluable first step on the employment ladder for young people and also develop existing employees throughout their careers."

The guide is available to download from the CIPD website at www.cipd.co.uk/apprenticeships.