Thousands to miss out as government removes right to apprenticeships
7 February 2011
Responding to today's announcement from the government that over 100,000 apprenticeships will be created, UCU warned that thousands of young people could still miss out after the government said it would withdraw its offer of a guaranteed apprenticeship for those with the right qualifications.
Under clause 65 of the newly published education bill, 'the offer to provide an apprenticeship place to all qualified young people who did not have one and wanted one', will be removed. UCU described the plans as giving with one hand whilst taking away with the other.
The union also pointed to the fact the government is cutting funding for people over the age of 24 looking to gain vocational qualifications, which UCU believes will make it harder for adults to retrain.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'By removing the guarantee of an apprenticeship for those with the necessary qualifications the government is giving with one hand and taking away with the other. While we welcome additional apprenticeships, thousands of people could still miss out on a pathway in to work.
'Reducing funding for adult learners over the age of 24 is going to make it much harder to retrain people during this recession and will severely limit access to training.'
The union also pointed to the fact the government is cutting funding for people over the age of 24 looking to gain vocational qualifications, which UCU believes will make it harder for adults to retrain.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'By removing the guarantee of an apprenticeship for those with the necessary qualifications the government is giving with one hand and taking away with the other. While we welcome additional apprenticeships, thousands of people could still miss out on a pathway in to work.
'Reducing funding for adult learners over the age of 24 is going to make it much harder to retrain people during this recession and will severely limit access to training.'
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