Mayors Release Report Into Modern Apprenticeships

The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs has released a report into the Modern apprenticeships programme. The Taskforce commissioned the report as part of their strategy to achieve the Taskforce vision of “zero waste of young people”.

The report found the programme, while contributing to the increase of industry trainees, was marred by low completion rates and disparate numbers based on gender and ethnicity.

“Current completion rates of 33 per cent on average are failing our young people,” said Mayor Dale Williams, Taskforce Chair.

The report calls on the Government to review coordinator contracts to include a completion target and to be more flexible when awarding contracts to take into account local approaches and community based providers, and give more assistance to industries with traditionally low completion rates.

It also recommends supporting industries where there are discrepancies in gender and ethnicity, to develop solutions.

Mr Williams says however, the scheme is addressing skill shortages in the trades programme.

“The Modern Apprenticeships programme does provide extra support and coordination for young apprentices under 20. However with some providers achieving only 25 per cent completion rates, there is clearly a need for change.”

The report found the best results were achieved when the provider was based in a particular geographic region; coordinators were youth focused, thought outside the square, were prepared to go the extra mile with the apprentices and had raised expectations of success.

The report is available on the Taskforce website at www.mayorstaskforceforjobs.co.nz

ENDS

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