Government announces trailblazers expansion

More than 700 employers are to help design 76 new Apprenticeships as part of the trailblazers scheme, the government has announced.

The new courses range from TV production to welding and colleges have also joined the programme to create Apprenticeships that can be used to train their own staff.

There are now more than 1,000 employers taking part in the government’s trailblazers scheme.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Across the country Apprenticeships are a driving force behind getting young people the skills that employers want and the economy needs.

“Our reforms have empowered businesses large and small to design and deliver world-beating Apprenticeships that offer a real route to a successful career. Employers including PwC, BAE Systems and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue will work with organisations from across their industries to develop the new Apprenticeships. In addition to this, employers involved in the earlier phases of the trailblazers initiative are to develop a further 47 high quality Apprenticeships.”

Teresa Frith, senior skills manager for the Association of Colleges, said: “As colleges are both employers and providers it is right and proper for them to be involved in the employers group looking to develop Apprenticeship standards for FE.

“Colleges, working with other provider employers will be able to create their own Apprenticeships to enable staff to gain their accreditation and skills through this route. While taking the opportunity to improve training opportunities for FE staff, we are also able to demonstrate our support of the government’s insistence that skills training should be employer led.

“By being part of the employer group, we are able to work with other employers and support each other.”

Natalie Thornhill