City & Guilds celebrates two million apprentices, but calls for greater stability
We we need to think long-term for sustainable growth in apprenticeships
09 December 2014
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Vince Cable has made an announcement today in celebration of two million apprenticeship starts during this Parliament.
Whilst this is a great achievement, Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Group, has called for more stability in the system to help young people get into work.
He said: 'Employers, educators and Government should rightly celebrate reaching two million apprenticeships since 2010. This is a significant milestone that has been achieved through collaboration and dedication to promoting the benefits of apprenticeships – to both businesses and individuals.
‘But we can’t let this celebration make us forget that there has been no material improvement in participation, in any measure, of under-19 apprenticeships over the past two years – from 2011/12 to 2013/14.
'At the same time, we’ve had what feels like non-stop reform in the apprenticeship system. We need less change.
'A longer-term approach to policy will create a sustainable, credible and growing apprenticeship system; it will not only get more young people into work, it will help to fill the skills gaps that are threatening our economic recovery.'