A new report has highlighted the need to re-engage Britain’s young people in learning, as the UK falls to the bottom of an international league table showing the proportion of young people in education. The United Nations states that Britain ranked in last place, out of the 29 countries surveyed – with fewer than 75 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds studying.
However, initiatives such as the raising of the participation age together with investment in traineeships and high quality apprenticeships aim to tackle the issue.
At NCFE, we’re keen to support the Government’s plans to improve our international standing in this area, through offering young people positive learning opportunities, building their confidence, and teaching them the transferable skills they need to thrive in their future careers and beyond.
David Cameron recently confirmed his commitment to work-based training, sitting at “the heart of our mission to rebuild the economy" and called upon employers, educators and MPs to expand Apprenticeship roles for young people. Added to this, the Government is due to launch a new ‘Traineeship’ scheme, helping young people to boost their skills ahead of beginning an Apprenticeship to ensure that they reach their potential.
NCFE offers almost 50 full Apprenticeships and related qualifications at both Intermediate and Advanced Levels in a range of sector areas including Health, Public Services and Care, Retail and Commercial Enterprise, Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Business, Administration and Law and Education and Training. These Apprenticeships are supported by exceptional customer service so that colleges and training providers can concentrate on the delivery of their programmes and helping learners to achieve success.
We’re also supporting the Traineeship initiative through our large range of qualifications which help learners make the leap from education to the workplace, developing the core attributes that businesses across all sectors are looking for. From Employability Skills to Occupational Studies, from Functional Skills to Developing Skills for the Workplace, we have the qualifications in place to help learners become better prepared for their chosen Apprenticeship study route.
The introduction of Study Programmes in September 2013 is another of the Government’s proposals to help recover the ‘lost generation’ and improve our NEETs rate at an international level. Study Programmes represent a significant change to the way vocational education and training is provided for young people aged 16-19 – teens will be offered a combination of programmes aimed at giving them the best opportunity to move into skilled employment or further education and training.
Again, at NCFE, we are supporting this initiative, particularly the work placement aspect. For example, with more students going out in to the world of work as part of the Study Programme, it is increasingly important that learners have the knowledge and the skills to ensure that they stay safe and are not a risk to themselves or their employer. NCFE has a number qualifications which give learners the knowledge they need to minimise potential risks and make their work placement a safe and successful one, for example our Level 1 Awards in Health and Safety Awareness and Personal Safety Awareness.
Overall, although the figures from the international survey are in some ways disheartening, it’s encouraging that there are measures in place to address the issues, improve our positioning and most importantly set our young people on the road to a brighter future. At NCFE, we’re looking forward to being involved every step of the way.
