WIREDGOV

In response to the budget announcement on apprenticeships, Tom Wilson, director of unionlearn, said:
'We welcome the increase in apprenticeship numbers. Unions are helping the government to support quality apprenticeships. They should provide good training and learning and lead to a job. They should not be used as a quick fix to solve youth unemployment, otherwise they will go the same way as the failed programmes such as YTS and YOPs. Unionlearn is training reps to act as mentors to young apprentices in the workplace and to encourage employers to take them on. Employers must play their part: too few are providing places.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Unionlearn is working with the government and National Apprenticeship Service to promote the expansion of quality apprenticeships.

2. Two-thirds of all union reps are involved in supporting apprentices and a half of all unions have encouraged employers to sign up to quality apprentices.

3. Unionlearn is the Voice of the Apprentice (plus case studies)
http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/policy/learn-3805-f0.cfm

4. The apprenticeship gender pay gap scandal
http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/equality/learn-3588-f0.cfm

All unionlearn press releases can be found at www.unionlearn.org.uk

Media enquiries:
Frances Rafferty T: 020 7079 6950 M: 07827 813439 E: frafferty@tuc.org.uk
James Asser T: 020 7079 6942 M: 07769 706104 E: jasser@tuc.org.uk