SLN promotes apprenticeship progression

1 Feb 2010

Members of the Sussex Vocational Progression Accord are seeking to improve progression opportunities for apprentices in the county. Whilst there are currently over 200 specific progression agreements between institutions in Sussex, the only ones currently involving apprentices are for engineers. Sussex Learning Network is funding a survey by the Sussex Council of Training Providers to find out how many apprentices there are in Sussex and where they are in order to stimulate more progression routes to the county’s higher education providers.

Progression rates for advanced apprentices to higher education are low. Currently fewer than 5% of apprentices make the transition to higher education whereas 54% of advanced apprentices (at level 3) show an interest in pursuing a degree-level course.

Whilst some apprentices successfully make the conversion to foundation degrees or HNC/HNDs, there is also a drive nationally to provide opportunities to take higher apprenticeships. However there are currently only five higher apprenticeship frameworks for accountancy, contact centres, ICT professionals, purchase and supply management and engineering technology. The advantage of such an apprenticeship which could be taken at a higher level is that it would be learning in the work environment. As the need to create apprenticeships is driven by employer demand, the government has made £5 million available to the sector skills councils (which represent employer skills needs) to develop new higher-level apprenticeship frameworks.

To search the existing progression agreements, go to www.learning-opportunities.org.uk/southeast-routes and for more information on progression initiatives in Sussex, contact Peter Barron on 01273 641 090.