Weekly Email News for the Glass, Glazing & Fenestration Industries

From: Chris Dowling, Director, Cairngorm Group

I am writing in response to a recent article about the fall in numbers of apprenticeships which is causing real concern within our industry. Read Story

The picture in Scotland couldn’t be more positive when it comes to apprenticeships which is a very different picture to the one South of the border due to the Scottish Government’s forward thinking approach.  I have to say at this point, I am in no way a SNP supporter and disagree with almost all their policies especially the one about independence!  But when it comes to apprenticeships they’re getting it right.

Back in 2014 following a review by Sir Ian Wood, the Developing the Young Work Force programme was set up with an ambitious target of reducing youth unemployment in Scotland by 40% by 2021.  21 employer lead  regionals groups where set up to reflect the different needs across Scotland.  The reason for them being employer lead opposed to education lead was employers are best placed to know the gaps in the labour market.  For example I was asked to Chair the Inverness & Central Highland group & have been able to use my influence to put the needs of our industry to Scottish Government officials as well as speak directly to schools, pupils & parents about the opportunities that exist for careers which don’t involve years at university building up debt with no guarantee of a job at the end.

The target of a 40% reduction was actually achieved last year, 3 years ahead of target.  This has been achieved by businesses going into schools & schools going into business which has built a greater understanding of each other’s needs.  The programme of apprenticeships has also been expanded beyond traditional craft apprenticeships to include “modern apprenticeships” which allow existing staff to train in subjects like digital marketing, health & safety, business administration using their day to day work as evidence for their port folio’s.  This means they can gain a formal qualification while at work & getting paid.  The other part of the apprenticeship programme is “foundation apprenticeships” which sees a pupils in 5th & 6th year in Scotland when they would be sitting Highers (or GCSE’s in England) go to college one day a week in 5th year & then have an industry based placement in 6th year. Universities are accepting a “foundation apprenticeship” as the equivalent to a Higher (or GCSE) at grade A.

My advice to anyone concerned about the future skills shortage is to get involved in your local schools directly as if we sit back & wait for Government to do it for us we might be waiting a long time!  It will take time to build the relationships, we’re 5 years in & only now seeing a change in the culture & attitude towards apprenticeships but we are now seeing significant improvements.  We are fortunate to have the DYW programme in Scotland but for anyone reading this in England, Founders for Schools offer a great website that helps connect employers to schools & vice versa.

http://www.cairngormgroup.co.uk/
https://www.founders4schools.org.uk/ 
https://www.dyw.scot/
https://education.gov.scot/scottish-education-system/policy-for-scottish-education/policy-drivers/Developing%20the%20Young%20Workforce%20(DYW)
https://www.apprenticeships.scot

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