Newton calls for more diversity and equality in apprenticeship programmes
Apprenticeships are high up on the government’s agenda, with the view that all employers will have their own schemes running by 2020. Senior research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, Becci Newton, wrote an article regarding the under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups in apprenticeship positions.
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has led a number of projects identifying potential obstacles for apprenticeships. Gender stereotypes caused a problem in some sectors, such as engineering and technology. Newton explains that this barrier could be overcome by raising awareness of apprenticeships among BAME employers. In addition, recruitment processes could be reviewed to make the workplaces in question more apprentice-friendly.
Newton says: “Parents and young people do not understand that ‘high tech’ and ‘new tech’ jobs are the polar opposite of this. It is crucial to get this message to young people, parents, teachers and careers advisors to have an impact.”