CTU MEDIA RELEASE
03 April 2008
Modern Apprentice numbers good news
“Unions will continue to support and progress initiatives that build a high-skill, high-value workforce, and modern
apprenticeships are a key part of that mix,” Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today.
Government today announced new figures on the number of modern apprenticeships. 15,000 people are in training or have
completed their apprenticeships.
"Industry training fell apart in the 1990s when it was left to employers. They failed to adequately invest in and train
the workforce they needed and skill shortages, low wages and low levels of productivity are problems that still persist
as a result."
“"The CTU is committed to the modern apprenticeships scheme as we see it as vital to building the educational and skill
base for a higher skill, higher value, and higher wage economy.”
"Unions will continue to play a major role in supporting industry training, including through our own Learning Reps
programme, and by working with business and government to increase the number of trainees and employers involved in
modern apprenticeships, including dedicated work to target a more equitable uptake among underrepresented groups,” Carol
Beaumont said.
ENDS