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APPRENTICESHIP PLAN ONCOURSE n
National Electrotechnical Training (NET), the UK electrical
installation industry training charity, has welcomed the government’s plan for the future of apprenticeships, which will give industry a leading role in their provision.
Commenting on the publication
of the The Future of Apprenticeships in England: Implementation Plan, Iain Macdonald, chief executive of NET, said: ‘The government’s recommendations will put industry back at the heart of apprenticeship provision – where it belongs.’ Macdonald continued: ‘For too
long now, apprenticeships have reflected what training providers are willing to offer, rather than what industry needs. Hopefully, this will now change. Industry stakeholders taking the lead on the content and delivery of apprenticeships will mean employers can be certain apprentices will learn the skills they need to make a positive contribution to their business and their chosen sectors. This can only be a positive step for all those involved in the process.’ Macdonald was quick to highlight that the majority of the proposals
would not directly impact on the electrotechnical sector, saying: ‘This industry has a tried and tested system in place, so the new standards will not mean major changes. However, the recognition of independent assessments, such as this industry’s long-established AM2 and FICA, is a hugely positive move. It will mean that candidates will only complete their apprenticeships and become fully fledged industry operatives when they have passed their industry’s assessment and are ready to call themselves skilled professionals.’ He concluded: ‘It’s been apparent
for some time now that the current apprenticeship system needs revising. Good employers and capable candidates have been let down in the past, but the recommendations set out in the implementation plan will ensure the future of an apprenticeship system, which is finally fit for purpose. With its publication, apprenticeships move a step nearer to closing the perceived quality gap in parity with university, and firms in all industries can be confident that we have an apprenticeship system in place, which delivers the skills they will need in the future.’
Minister’s energy efficiency figures queried n
The ECA has responded to claims made by climate change minister Greg Barker
MP that about 300,000 measures had been installed through energy efficiency schemes to the end of September, questioning whether it accurately reflected the success – or otherwise – of the government’s Green Deal initiative. The minister was responding to a question
in question in Parliament about Green Deal installations by quoting energy efficiency scheme figures to the end of September ECA head of Energy Solutions Bill Wright said:
‘The 300,000 figure that the minister is quoting can’t be an accurate reflection of the success of the Green Deal. The latest figures from DECC show that there are 57 Green Deal plans up and running at present – hardly a good return on the £3.75m the government has invested in marketing the scheme. ‘The statistic that the minister is using is based on uptake figures for the Energy Company Obligation scheme, which funds energy efficiency improvements for those who are at risk of fuel poverty. This is a very worthy initiative, but it is not the true Green Deal.
‘The Green Deal has the potential to be a real game-changer in terms of energy efficiency and reducing energy bills for consumers, but more needs to be done to encourage the public to participate. We believe the interest rates of seven per cent on the loan are too high, and serve to discourage people from getting on board with the initiative. ‘Furthermore, we feel the government needs
to offer tax breaks in the form of reduced stamp duty and council tax for properties that have a Green Deal in place. This would give homeowners an additional return on investment and encourage take up on a larger scale. With a better offer in place, we would also support an increase in marketing spend for the initiative. ‘There’s a very real danger that the Green
Deal could fail unless we see a tangible increase in uptake from consumers. If we lose this opportunity, we are faced with the threat of losing a vital national energy efficiency initiative. The public deserves a Green Deal that works, but big changes need to be made if it is going to become a reality.’
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U R M E T I S T H E L A R G E S T M A N U F A C T U R E R O F D O O R E N T R Y S Y S T E M S I N E U R O P E December 2013 ECA Today 7
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