Expert: More value should be placed on apprenticeships

Apprenticeships should be valued as highly as university degrees by employers, according to an industry expert.

Steve Huxham, chairman of The Recruitment Society, said that there is an ongoing feeling that vocational courses are more geared to what the individual wants rather than what is actually needed for success in sales recruitment.

"I think employers should see a lot of value in more traditional-style apprenticeships. There should be more places, but you also have to spend time, effort and money to educate employers and the world at large that those apprenticeships do indeed have value," he added.

Earlier this week the government announced that it would invest £400 million into apprenticeship schemes for those aged 19 or over.

The Skills Investment Strategy will also support the creation of an Apprenticeship Scholarship Fund to encourage youngster to go into higher education by providing 1,000 places a year worth £1,000.

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By Wayne Bly and John Oak

Filed: 20-11-2009