Apprenticeship: A Strategy for Growth.

The recent history of apprenticeship in Great Britain was examined to identify the issues arising from the latest reforms and future expansion of the system. A team of university academics with strong research interests in training and skills collected information from a large body of academic work in the field of apprenticeship and training and from the contributions of participants at a 1-day seminar. The analysis established that, although the British apprenticeship model of learning and training still enjoys status, failure to modernize and reform the apprenticeship system in the 1970s-1980s has led to a serious decline in numbers trained. The Modern Apprenticeship model was deemed a sound foundation for progress, and a number of ways of further strengthening it were identified. The following policy recommendations were offered: (1) target higher numbers for apprenticeship; (2) improve training content and assessment; (3) develop new pathways leading to apprenticeship; (4) develop new pathways leading from apprenticeship to higher education and full professional status; (5) strengthen sector bodies and employer organizations; (6) encourage employer cooperation to guarantee product and service standards to the consumer; (7) guarantee government financial support for Modern Apprenticeship to all who undertake to train to the required standard; and (8) rethink apprentice status and remuneration. (MN)