So Ofsted has finally woken up to the misuse of the term “apprenticeship” (Few apprenticeships meet employers’ needs – Ofsted chief, 22 October). In October 2011 you published our letter highlighting the widespread practice of “converting” existing employees into apprentices. We had originally brought this to light in 2008 when we acted as special advisers to a Commons select committee. The committee said government should publish data on conversions and ensure all apprentices were receiving training and not just having their existing skills accredited. Nothing happened. Ministers talk the talk of transforming the UK’s vocational education and training system and stand proudly with apprentices from Rolls-Royce and similar companies where apprenticeship hasn’t been devalued.
Apprenticeship is a litmus test for the economy. Poor-quality apprenticeships reflect the lack of demand for skills beyond the basic level. They also reflect the fact that many employers need support to organise training and use it to improve their businesses. Far from tackling poor quality, the 3 million target will only add to the problem.
We know how to do apprenticeships well in the UK. We need a combination of properly resourced full-time vocational courses and apprenticeship. But this takes dedicated and consistent effort. It’s time for our politicians and employers to do better.
Professor Alison Fuller and Professor Lorna Unwin
UCL Institute of Education
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