Schools, colleges, employers and the Welsh Government must work together to present apprenticeships as a strong start to a career, the Senedd's Economy Committee has concluded.
The Committee heard evidence from apprentices and apprenticeship providers and has laid out recommendations for the Welsh Government to help people make better choices about their education and training in its latest report, Apprenticeship Pathways.
The Committee believes that if the Welsh Government increases awareness and take-up of apprenticeships this will allow people to improve their skills and earning potential, building a more productive workforce and boosting the economy.
Matt, who did an apprenticeship at Gower College, who gave evidence to the Committee said:
“The biggest issue is awareness. I had no idea apprenticeships existed, what they led to, or that they were equivalent to GCSEs. When I was unemployed, no one at the job centre mentioned them—and I never saw a poster or heard about them from employers either.
“I’m now a senior healthcare assistant, and I had to either have a Level 3 qualification or be willing to study for one. While senior management supported this, many line managers don’t understand how apprenticeships work or how to support staff properly.
“These qualifications are ideal for people like me who left school with nothing. Through my apprenticeship with Gower College and support from Swansea Bay University Health Board, I gained GCSEs in Maths and English, new skills for my job, and I’m now studying for a nursing degree. It’s taken me from no qualifications to university.”
Schools not promoting apprenticeships
The Committee heard that many learners are not aware of alternative routes into employment and pursue further academic study even though they could be much happier, more successful and more suited to the vocational one.
The Committee has laid out a number of recommendations for the Welsh Government on apprenticeship pathways, with calls for:
- Better engagement and promotion of apprenticeships as a viable education pathway for students
- The Welsh Government should work with schools, colleges and employers to present vocational courses as a good quality option
- Faster progress in developing a vocational education and training strategy
- Barriers to recruiting and retaining skilled assessors and apprenticeship trainers to be addressed
- Increases to pay for apprenticeships to be explored as part of the fair work agenda.
Andrew RT Davies MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee said:
“For many people, apprenticeships can be an excellent choice. They combine learning earning, working and training. The apprentices who gave evidence were enjoying their courses and they are thriving as a result.
“However, we heard about many challenges facing people who want to do an apprenticeship, not least understanding and navigating the system itself. For young people, the academic route is clear, and schools work hard to signpost and encourage their learners to do A-levels and degrees, the same cannot be said for apprenticeships.
“We’re calling on the Welsh Government to work with schools, colleges and employers to make sure that the apprenticeship pathway is promoted to everyone as a respected and quality option.
“There are huge benefits to apprentices, employers and the economy if we get this right in Wales.”