National Examination Board, OCR, has been called to appear as a witness to The Education Select Committee’s ongoing inquiry into the support, regulation and management of traineeship and apprenticeship pathways in the UK.
The request to provide oral evidence follows OCR’s submission of written evidence on traineeships in September 2014. This included a series of recommendations based on OCR’s findings following its implementation of one of the UK’s first traineeship pilot schemes in 2013.
OCR’s recommendations cover a number of key areas:
- Government should make Traineeships more flexible through the creation of bite-sized units whilst also providing funding according to progression.
- Traineeships should be promoted within schools as a ‘stepping stone’ into employment, FE or apprenticeships.
- Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) should be included in the overarching strategy behind traineeships within local areas, through the development of a ‘Skills and Employment Board’.
- Clear, high-quality and concise information that is readily accessible for young people is urgently required and should be marketed through appropriate channels, capturing interest and of young learners as well as directing them towards future career/learning pathways.
- Incentivising employers should be considered as a viable solution to ensure the number of Traineeships offered increases and that employers see the benefit of taking part.
Charlotte Bosworth, Director of Skills and Employment for OCR, Bosworth said: “The Prime Minister has pledged to end youth unemployment and create three million apprenticeship opportunities following the 2015 General Election. Whoever is elected, it is vital that the right approach to traineeships is developed and that it is sustainable, with the leaner at its centre.
“As a business, we place significant emphasis on ensuring that our vocational qualifications are flexible, fit for purpose and exciting for learners whilst taking account of new technologies and developments – ensuring they are relevant for the needs of today’s workplace. We both look forward to submitting our evidence to the Select Committee, and to hearing the overall findings in due course.”
