"We are delighted to have been awarded this funding to deliver the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools project across the Liverpool City Region."
Sharne Kelso, programme manager, GMLPF
The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools (ASK) project has been commissioned by the National Apprenticeship Service, part of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), to support the government’s target of achieving 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020.
GMLPF has been chosen as one of the delivery partners and will offer a range of inspirational and engaging apprenticeship and traineeship support to all learning establishments offering provision to years 10, 11, 12 and 13 across the Liverpool City Region. The project will focus on the skills they need to get on in work.
The aim of the project is to work with teachers, careers advisors, parents and governors to support schools and ensure that they meet their statutory duties regarding the provision of impartial Information Advice and Guidance (IAG), specifically in relation to apprenticeships and traineeships. The project will run until July 2017.
A core part of the ASK project also includes identifying and recruiting 1,000 Apprenticeship Champions in schools across England to support the promotion of apprenticeships in their local areas.
As the delivery partner for the Liverpool City Region, GMLPF are offering free services to schools and colleges to increase student’s awareness and understanding of apprenticeships.
A range of events and resources have been devised by GMLPF to highlight the benefits of an apprenticeship and debunk the common misconceptions about the qualification.
GMLPF’s delivery of the ASK project has been praised by the Skills Funding Agency, with them commenting that the sessions are “stimulating and inspirational” and the GMLPF team are full of in-depth knowledge of apprenticeships, traineeships and the local opportunities available for young people.
Sharne Kelso, programme manager at GMLPF says: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding to deliver the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools project across the Liverpool City Region. All too often, careers guidance in schools – particularly in relation to apprenticeships and traineeships – is unclear, or isn’t engaging enough for today’s young people. GMLPF believe young people should understand the full range of opportunities available to them, which includes university, apprenticeships and traineeships, before they leave school and make big career decisions.”
“We have already started to deliver this exciting programme to schools across the region to develop and increase awareness of apprenticeships and traineeships. Working in partnership with schools, we aim to fill in any gaps in careers provision and work alongside all relevant key partners such as teachers, parents and governors to ensure students in years 10-13 are receiving the best, impartial advice to help shape their future.”
Earlier this week, Gareth Jones, apprenticeship strategy manager at GMLPF delivered a careers session to students at The Oldershaw Academy in Wallasey, Wirral.
Alison Hughes, vocational education manager at The Oldershaw Academy, says: “Gareth was extremely knowledgeable and the teaching staff and students at Oldershaw were very impressed with his careers session. Students need to know the different types of progression and career paths now available and here at Oldershaw we promote both university and apprenticeships equally.
“It is fantastic news that universities are now able to deliver degree apprenticeships in certain occupational areas and I hope the government continue to provide funding and increase the amount of degree apprenticeships available.
“Thank you to Gareth and all the team at GMLPF for explaining the ins and outs of apprenticeships to our students.”
To book free support
Contact the GMLPF Schools Support Team on 0151 707 8776 or email schools@gmlpf.net
