Apprenticeships: silver bullet or hard slog?
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review apprenticeship policy in the UK and to present examples of good practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach takes the form of a review of three cases.
Findings
Apprenticeships are not an easy option. An apprenticeship scheme, and indeed any training initiative, will not command support within an organisation unless it can be seen to assist the business in economic terms. Context is critical.
Practical implications
The paper argues for a more realistic assessment of the role of apprenticeship at the level of government policy and in the organisation.
Originality/value
The paper offers a different and more measured perspective on apprenticeships, which contrast with current uncritical hype and over-selling.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper was based on evidence presented to the House of Lords European Union Sub-Committee B (Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment): EU action to tackle youth unemployment. A broadcast of the session is available online at: www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=14148
Citation
Sloman, M. (2014), "Apprenticeships: silver bullet or hard slog?", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 46 No. 3, pp. 117-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-12-2013-0081
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited