Now in its tenth year, NAW brings together employers and apprentices from across England to celebrate the success of apprenticeships and encourage more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career.
ICE Director General Nick Baveystock said: “An engineering apprenticeship offers the opportunity to work in an exciting industry, gain a recognised qualification and develop professional skills, all while earning a salary. Apprenticeships strengthen economic productivity as well and to realise the aspirations set out in the Industrial Strategy, it is essential for employers to grow their own workforce.
“Continued support for apprenticeships from politicians is welcome, but it is important apprenticeship schemes in engineering are of a good quality and provide access to professional qualifications, such as the industry standard Engineering Technician qualification. With the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy next month, ICE is working with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to develop their skills provision, from technician level through to degree apprenticeships.
“Government support for the Trailblazers scheme - where groups of employers club together to set tailored, rigorous standards to develop apprentices – has been invaluable, and we look forward to a speeded up approval process when the new Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education starts work. We are pleased that schools are now being encouraged to play their part by communicating the wide range of STEM paths now available, and welcome the focus on improving careers guidance set out in the Industrial Strategy .”
Established in 1818 and with over 86,000 members worldwide. ICE is a leading source of expertise in infrastructure and engineering policy and is widely seen as the independent voice of infrastructure. ICE’s vision is to place civil engineering at the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. ICE provides advice to governments and all political parties in Scotland and the wider UK, and works with industry to ensure that civil engineering and construction remain major contributors to the economy. www.ice.org.uk
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