In My View
Posted by Robert Walter, MP for North Dorset, at 08:22, Wed 28 November 2007:
IN MY VIEW
We all know why we have so many Polish plumbers. It’s basically because we have trained so few ourselves. Recent Government proposals to increase the number of apprenticeships and to publish draft legislation to reform the apprenticeship system follow years of failure to develop an attractive pathway for vocational learning.
The number of young people aged between 16 and 24 not in education, employment or training, they are known as NEETS, is now well over a million, having increased by 15% in the last ten years. Reducing the number of NEETS depends on making training more attractive to potential learners and employers. Yet both apprenticeship enrolments and employer engagement are in decline.
I welcome the draft Bill highlighted in the Queen’s Speech on apprenticeships because, as I have repeatedly argued, the apprenticeship brand matters, but is being undermined by the Government’s failure to ensure standards. By proposing a statutory definition of what constitutes an apprenticeship the Government has belatedly accepted that the concerns about the rigour of apprenticeships are justified.
Much training dubbed as an 'apprenticeship' is not worthy of the name. Many contain little or no workplace element; most are not directly mentored; and some have no employer engagement whatsoever. And nearly half are not completed.
Only about 20% of apprenticeships are actually offered directly by employers. Many of the 130,000 ‘employers’ that the Government claims offer apprenticeships actually provide training as their principal business. Even assuming this questionable definition of employers, business engagement is in decline.
I have argued that, if properly implemented, the new diplomas proposed by the Government represent a golden opportunity to establish an accessible, dedicated pathway for students who wish to acquire a skilled craft. The Government must however ensure that they are a robust and respected vocational qualification; anything less would short change hundreds of thousands of potential learners.
But I don’t agree with the three new diplomas which would replace or compete with A-Levels. Lets concentrate on skill based learning and elevate the practical by rejuvenating vocational education because we appreciate the difference that craft skills make to the health of Britain’s economy and the lives of millions of its people.
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I have written on these pages on more than one occasion about the Military Covenant. I am a strong supporter of the men and women who serve in the armed forces and no matter what the political situation they do a difficult job and they do it well and with honour. You will understand then when I say I was pleased to see five former Chiefs of the Defence Staff make a stand against the government’s complacency towards our armed forces.
When they criticised the government for not taking the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces seriously I had to nod my head in agreement. These are well respected, serious men who have led our armed forces through difficult times. Their voice of experience is second to none and their damnation should be heeded.
This brings me to our part time Defence Secretary. How can the government claim to be serious about defence when one minute Des Browne is reviewing defence budgets, discussing the acquisition of vital equipment and liaising with his counterparts around the world and the next minute be in charge of the smooth running of devolution or liaising with the Scottish Executive. We need a full time Defence Secretary because we have full time armed forces and they are stretched to the limit, in need of better equipment and conditions and in need of a government who values the sacrifices they and their families make.
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Posted by J Richardson, 16:36, Wed 28 November 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Having spent 23 years in the RAF, I am disgusted with this Govt's attitude to the Armed Services as exemplified by the appointment of a part-time Defence Secretary and the closure of dedicated Military Hospitals. But, as with all things governmental these days, the only time public opinion is sought or heeded is during a General Election. I feel that Mr Cameron and colleages are not coming down hard enough on the Government - take the gloves off, David, are you hungry for government or not! J Richardson, Member of the Conservative Party, Dorset.