Leonardo gets behind National Apprenticeship Week 2012

The Leonardo team has been busy promoting the programme as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2012 (6-10 February) and my Leonardo colleague Michele Phizacklea will soon be posting an update about our involvement.

In the meantime, let me highlight how Leonardo ties in with apprenticeships, for those with an interest in this sector.

National Apprenticeship Week 2012

The benefits

Leonardo Mobility funding is perfect for training providers (colleges, employers etc) since it allows them to apply for grants to send apprentices on European work placements as part of their programme. The programme is a natural fit, since the apprenticeship model of ‘learning by doing’ is how Leonardo Mobility works too.

We’ve had plenty of success stories from happy apprentices, employers and training providers, which you can read about in our brochure, co-authored with the National Apprenticeship Service: European work placements for apprentices.

There is also a dedicated web page to give organisations an overview of what Leonardo offers.

So, why is this important?

The Coalition Government has made clear that it would like apprenticeships to be the natural progression pathway for those looking to enter or progress through skilled employment.

‘Apprenticeships are rightly regarded as the best way to learn in work… We want to ensure that all apprenticeships are as good as the best, and that we learn from international practice.’

‘Government response to the Wolf Review of Vocational Education‘, Department for Education,  May 2011

But political will is not enough on its own. The Government and training providers now need to demonstrate to young people and employers that apprenticeships can deliver on their promise of highly competitive, globally recognised accreditation.

In realising the Government’s ambitions for apprenticeships, the Leonardo programme has demonstrated that European work placements:

• Serve as a powerful incentive for anyone considering undertaking an apprenticeship, by providing experience within leading European industries;
• Improve apprentices’ confidence, independence and other ‘soft skills’ through living abroad in an unfamiliar cultural environment;
• Give apprentices a competitive advantage in seeking employment; and
• Give colleges and training providers a competitive advantage in attracting the best people into their programmes.

Deepening links between apprenticeships and Leonardo

Ecorys runs Thematic Networking Groups (TNGs) which bring together policy people, training providers, employers and other stakeholders to ensure that the Lifelong Learning Programme’s focus (including Leonardo) mirrors closely the UK education landscape and political context. One of these groups (TNG3) is focused on ‘meeting training and skills needs’.

The group meets twice a year and as a result of the discussions has produced a report outlining its work so far, its recommendations for the future.

To find out more I highly recommend you read In focus: strengthening the provision of training for UK apprentices through European projects  (also read our blog posts on this topic here).

“By making Apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people, we are sending a message that technical excellence is as highly valued as academic prowess. And by focusing investment where it is most needed to deliver sustainable growth, we are equipping businesses with the skills they need to rebalance our economy and distribute opportunity more widely.”

Prime Minister David Cameron, 7 February 2012

Find out more and share your views

If you’re an apprenticeship provider please visit our website for more information or call the Leonardo helpline to discuss your ideas on 0845 199 2929.

Alternatively, email us or message us on Twitter (use the hashtag #NAW2012).

You can read out our previous post on the Wolf Report (linked to apprenticeships and vocational training reforms).

Please also share your own experiences of Leonardo work placements for apprenticeships as comments on this post.