Poor careers guidance resulting in reduced apprenticeships

09:47 18th March 2009

Poor careers guidance in UK schools has resulting in reduced numbers of young people choosing to take up apprenticeships.

A Skills Commission report has called for improved training for teachers as most said their knowledge of apprenticeship opportunities is poor.

The government is looking to have 20 per cent of young people choosing to enter apprenticeships within the next decade, although currently only 130,000 of 1.3 million businesses choose to accept them.

Andy Powell, chairman of Edge, an education foundation which promotes vocational and work-based learning, told the BBC: "Tackling the lack of knowledge about apprenticeships amongst teachers and careers guidance professionals is key to unlocking the potential of the programme."

Around 50,000 teachers across the UK will be briefed on apprenticeships under a new government scheme designed to explore the range of options available to young people between the ages of 14 and 19.

Taking up apprenticeships could also encourage young people to seek computer training or pursue IT careers.

The Learning and Skills Council recently found that nearly 70 per cent of companies believe they benefit from taking on apprentices.