Clearview Midlands July 2014 - Issue 152 | Page 19

INDUSTRYNEWS Minister reinforces importance of apprenticeship reforms On 2 June, Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock (pictured) spoke at the annual Association of Education Learning Providers (AELP) conference about the importance of the government’s apprenticeship reforms and how giving employer’s control of the design and funding of apprenticeships will help to drive up quality. He said: “For the first time, a new generation of young people are seeing apprenticeships as the route to a brighter future. Now is the time to reform the apprenticeship system in order to put it at the forefront of economic growth for years to come. Alongside universities, apprenticeships are the new norm for young people leaving school. “I also want apprenticeships to become the first choice for businesses and employers of all sizes. By driving up the rigour and responsiveness, we can prove their worth to these groups and encourage even more employers to take on an apprentice. “Apprenticeships will deliver higher quality across the board, skills relevant to the future and give everyone in the country the opportunity to realise their potential. I am calling for businesses to come alongside us and we can go forward together. The road ahead will not be easy, but for that goal, it is surely worth travelling.” The Next Generation of Vertical Sliders FUNDING FOR EMPLOYERS The Minister built on recent support for the principles of the funding reforms and set out how the system will be trialled with the Trailblazer employers in 2014 to 2015. The first phase of the Apprenticeship Trailblazers began in October 2013, with groups of employers, large and small, working together to design new standards for apprenticeships. Trailblazers are now going to trial the new apprenticeship funding system which means that for every £1 the business invests in apprenticeships, they will receive £2 of government funding up to a maximum amount, depending on the apprenticeship. There will also be additional incentives for completion, for small businesses and for apprentices aged 16 to 18 years. The Minister also welcomed an employer toolkit which NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) has designed to help more disabled people gain access to apprenticeships. To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com  128mm sculptured profile  Range of foil colour options  “A” rated glass as standard  10 year product guarantee  Maximum safety and security  Traditional furniture & sash horns  Special offer price from only... £199.99 * *Full offer details available upon request Prices subject to VAT. Extra surcharges may apply. Subject to Camden T&Cs. Images are for illustration purposes only. Call our Sales Team: 0800 470 3204 Or email: [email protected] Camden Steeple Road Industrial Estate, Antrim, BT41 1AB Stand No: 128 JUL 2014 19