PM Training at forefront of Government training agenda Jan 10, 2013
Category: News
A Staffordshire social enterprise, which leads the way for youth training and apprenticeships, has been highlighted as one of the inspirations for the Government’s new focus on youth unemployment.
PM Training - part of the Aspire Group - helps tackle worklessness among young people and provides training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities for more than 1,500 people a year.
Learners at the Staffordshire based provider have a very clear path of progression, starting with a four-week induction to workplace skills, followed by vocational training, mentoring and hands-on work experience with one of PM Training’s professional service teams.
Only after this is completed and each trainee is deemed ready is an apprenticeship found with a local business.
The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills today praised PM’s model as Skills Minister Matthew Hancock unveiled a new Traineeship programme consultation document.
Will Nixon, deputy chief executive of the Aspire Group, said: “We are extremely pleased that the Government is focusing on youth training and unemployment and delighted to have been involved in shaping these proposals.
“The emphasis being placed on mentoring, work-based training and continued support for learners within the document is very welcome indeed – we know from years of experience that this is vital for success.”
Many of PM Training’s learners are among the poorest and most vulnerable young people in North Staffordshire, and many come with few or no formal GCSEs. Despite this nearly 75% of those who complete their training go into a paid apprenticeship or job.
Since 2011, PM Training has also worked alongside the Department of Education on a national work pairing trial, where young people are partnered with a mentor at a local business to gain valuable on-the-job experience.
Mr Nixon warned, however, that the requirement to achieve minimum standards in English and maths to complete an apprenticeship might prevent some young people from succeeding in their training.
He said: “On the face of it, improving literacy and numeracy is sounds an obvious positive step.
“However, I believe this will need to be carefully thought through as many learners who struggled at school may be put off or simply may not be able to achieve these results.
“Indeed, one of our trainees, Steve Ellis, who last year won Youth Build UK Young Builder of the Year and the Worldskills UK event, may have been excluded from an apprenticeship by these criteria. We need to make sure that young people like him don’t risk being condemned to the scrapheap.”
Will Nixon concluded: “As always, the final details of the policy will be crucial, but we await the new focus on youth training with great interest and optimism.”
The Government’s Traineeship proposal document will now be discussed more widely with employers, education and training providers, and young people before a final policy is agreed.
