With employment in the early years sector predicted to expand by almost 10 per cent over the next decade, the Government's pledge to extend apprenticeships is a welcome development. It fits well with what the Children's Workforce Development Council identifies as a need for more 'demand-led' skills, whereby individuals can access training which is more responsive to the needs of employers.
But apprenticeships will need to be given a makeover for them to be more appealing to both employers and candidates. The Government is aiming to increase the number available for 16- to 18-year-olds to 90,000 by 2013, and will be providing employers with a pilot wage subsidy to help finance them.
The widening of what's on offer will be largely down to employers themselves, who will potentially be able to offer their own accredited qualifications - just as McDonald's, airline Flybe and Network Rail are now able to do.
Apprenticeships will also dovetail with the new 14-19 diplomas, enabling students to move between the two.
While tradititional apprenticeships in the public sector have been steadily declining, the public sector union Unison is positive about new targets, which it believes will help in the push to deliver more children's services.
'It is a welcome move, but if the Government is intending to improve the situation it will need to make more funding available, rather than relying on efficiency savings,' says Jon Richards, senior national officer of Unison's Workforce Unit.
The private and voluntary sector is equally concerned about levels of finance to support apprenticeships. National Day Nurseries Association chief executive Purnima Tanuku is concerned about the investment that needs to be made by the employer.
'Apprenticeships require a great deal of "on the job" training and therefore there can be hidden costs for the nursery itself,' she says. 'While there are clear benefits once the apprentice is trained and qualified, the process represents a significant investment. This impact may be felt especially by smaller nurseries with less resources.
'Although apprenticeship courses are funded by the Learning and Skills Council, NDNA would welcome increased support through initiatives such as tax breaks.'
At Parenta Training, education director Sally Eaton feels that the Government is sending out a mixed message about training. 'It has been saying that it wants individuals to increase their skills and increase them quickly. The Transformation Fund has helped more people to gain NVQ2 without having to undertake it as part of an apprenticeship framework.'
She adds, 'Over the past year, we have found it difficult to persuade learners to do the technical certificate, key skills and NVQ at level 3, which make up the framework, when it is possible to do the NVQ alone.
'The Government will have to work hard to change the general perception of potential candidates. Employers will also need to be convinced of the benefits of apprenticeships and the extra demands required of learners.'
