As pupils across the country receive their GCSE exam results, I would urge employers to recognise the benefits of offering some of these young people apprenticeships. In doing so, employers will help to address skills shortages and have a positive impact on their business.
Skills shortages remain a big issue within the UK, with the nursery and childcare sector highlighted for its lack of skilled staff. The Government invested £250m in 2006/08 to allow further improvements in qualification levels for those working within early years, and aims to have an early years professional in each daycare setting by 2015. By training apprentices, employers can plan for the future by ensuring that the skills critical to their company's success are not lost.
There are already more than 250,000 people taking apprenticeships in England alone, and we are working to give even more young people, and adults, this valuable opportunity. There are numerous benefits for both the employer and the apprentice. Employers not only gain a highly motivated and loyal workforce, but can see their productivity boosted. They can also witness how apprentices can make a difference to their business from day one. The individuals benefit from improving their skills and career prospects, while continuing to learn and earn a wage.
Challenging choices
Young people across the country face difficult choices about their future, and I would encourage businesses to connect with schools and to recognise the huge untapped talent that exists across the country. Despite having this option available to them, many young people are unaware of apprenticeships and are keen to get more advice about their post-exam options.
The apprenticeships programme has so far worked well for companies within the childcare sector, with 1,091 learners starting apprenticeships in children's care, learning and development in 2007/08. This figure was split almost equally between 540 young people starting advanced apprenticeships, and 551 starting standard apprenticeships in the sector. Apprenticeships are the equivalent of five good GCSEs and advanced apprenticeships are equivalent to two A-level passes. The apprenticeships programme has seen 73 per cent of those working in full-daycare settings qualified to A-Level or GNVQ.
Reaping the rewards
There are countless success stories illustrating the mutual benefits to both employers and employees. One such case is the Ark Day Nursery, in Halifax. 'The experience of a lifetime' is the philosophy that Ark applies to children, parents, and its employees.
The nursery has developed rapidly over the past six years and now employs 45 staff and offers 280 childcare places. Apprenticeships are an excellent way of maintaining the high standards of care that have been vital to the success of the business. Co-owner Jo Brock says, 'The commitment of each individual to their own learning ensures that the culture of continuous improvement and training is promoted by everyone in the organisation.'
Another example that highlights the benefits of recruiting apprentices is the Kingscliffe Day Nursery, in Loughborough, which secured a place as a finalist in the Micro Employer of the Year category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2008. Opened in 1999, Kingscliffe is now a 32-place nursery, with a reputation for having highly skilled and compassionate staff.
Apprenticeships have played a significant role in Kingscliffe's growing reputation. Manager and proprietor Alexis McConnachie has been able to recruit motivated individuals by offering apprentices excellent training and development opportunities.
'Working with apprenticeships has assisted us in securing high-quality individuals with a passion for childcare,' says Ms McConnachie. Kingscliffe has provided a great number of opportunities to local schools and colleges, allowing students to complete work experience placements in order to learn first hand about the childcare industry.
Ms McConnachie says, 'Recruiting apprentices straight from our local schools has secured their future employment, training and development, and our future business growth and success.'
Excellence at work
As these two nurseries demonstrate, apprenticeships enable businesses to find the right people, with the right skills, at the right time. With thousands of young people now considering which path they should take, this is the perfect opportunity to find out what apprenticeships can do for your business.
More information:
For more information visit: www.apprenticeships.co.uk or call 08000 150 400.