1. Ian S Ferguson Deputy Chairman of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network Chairman of Data Connection Ltd www.employersforapprentices.gov.uk

2. Recent History Cassels Report –role of the Learning & Skills Council Apprenticeship Task Force Report –now the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network Leitch Review and 400,000 Apprenticeships Apprenticeship Review –January 2008

3. The Place of Apprenticeships All roads (should) lead to “a job with training” Apprenticeship is a job with training –qualification framework (key skills, NVQ, Technical Certificate) –Government funding –specific and general skills Level 0Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4 FLTFLT/GCSE Diploma GCSE A*-C Diploma Apprenticeship A-level Diploma Apprenticeship Degree (Apprenticeship) FLT = Foundation Learning Tier

4. Apprentices Young People Those who do not relish the classroom Huge personal benefit across the spectrum of –those with options –those with only this option Key part of raising the participation age to 18 Adults Formalised and qualified training

5. Employer Interest in Apprenticeships Defined and qualified training programme –including their own Government funding Employee retention and motivation Business benefit and competitiveness Provider support

6. Employer Perspective on Status Huge political backing Increasing numbers (260,000) and completions (63%) Increasing and updated frameworks (180) Apprenticeship Review –National Apprenticeship Service/marketing –adults –vacancy matching system –UCAS points –Training Associations and overtraining

7. Employer Perspective on Issues Information Advice and Guidance –schools and parents Accreditation of employer own training Bureaucracy and complexity Awareness and the media

8. Role of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network Employer Pressure Group –Government –other employers –Public Sector Apprenticeship Champions –networks –events –the media

9. Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network Reference Points Bentley Motors BAE Systems Tesco British Gas Kesslers International NG Bailey Ministry of Defence