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Gone
Missing: The Modern Apprentice
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Maybe
it was the name “apprentice” that caused
the problem. For me, it always seemed to
suggest an image of a gritty northern town
some time in the 1950s. Oversized boiler
suits and a packet of Woodbines.
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Perhaps
that’s too gloomy but, for whatever
reason, when the Government launched the new
scheme in 1994, they were careful to have
“Modern” in the title. A clear message
to say that this was something different
from before.
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Has
it worked ? Has it provided for a
cost/effective way of developing skilled
labour for the future ?
Well, it’s tough thing to say for
someone who believes in training as much as
I do, but I have serious doubts.
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Doubts
about whether schemes based on NVQs but not
specifically related to the trade involved
can provide the right grounding.
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Doubts
whether a scheme which incorporates full
time education is affordable for the average
employer.
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Doubts
whether employers (yes, and consultants like me
!) have used their influence sufficiently to get
what we want.
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So,
reluctantly, I’d have to say be very wary
about the current scheme. You’re still
left with the problem of developing staff
but, of course, that is the main topic of
your training strategy. |
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