Insider Media Limited

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has welcomed new government proposals to guarantee the quality of apprenticeship training. The plans, revealed by further education minister John Hayes, come as new figures show that more than one in five people under 25 were out of work in the last quarter of 2010.

Hayes has announced measures in a bid to ensure that apprenticeships benefit both employers and learners.

The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England will aim to ensure that all apprenticeships deliver nationally-recognised qualifications through at least 280 hours of guided learning each year.

Hayes’ announcement comes after figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that the number of young people searching for employment in the UK has almost reached one million.

The number of adults under 25 who are out of work jumped by 32,000 to 951,000 in the final quarter of 2010.

Youth unemployment now stands at 20.3 per cent – the highest level since records began in 1992.

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, said: “It’s extremely pleasing to see that apprenticeships are at the heart of government’s skills strategy, especially in light of worrying figures released this week which indicate soaring youth unemployment.

“The chamber engages with businesses of all sizes throughout the year and one of the main messages that always comes back is that many firms struggle when it comes to recruiting suitable young employees.

“Today’s school leavers are the business leaders of the future, so it is crucial that we take action to bridge this skills gap. Greater emphasis should be placed on apprenticeships and ensuring that school-leavers and young adults are equipped with the right skills, qualifications and attitudes to work.

“The business sector will drive future job and wealth creation, productivity and growth, but in order for this to happen, we need to first build a local workforce which possesses the skills and qualifications needed by small and medium-sized firms.”