300 apprenticeship standards and counting….New opportunities for employers to up-skill their workforce
The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) has now approved over 300 new apprenticeship standards for delivery. Ranging from intermediate level 2 standards to degree and even masters level qualifications, these standards span a wide range of occupations in sectors from business and hospitality to engineering, transport and logistics.
For SME businesses, there is government funding available for apprenticeships, which is open to all employees, irrespective of age and experience. Unlike previous schemes, this subsidy is not restricted to young people at the start of their careers or to employees new to the business.
As a result, more and more employers are upskilling new or existing staff with higher-level apprenticeships and making a real difference to their productivity.
A project in the maritime sector is paving the way for higher-level apprenticeships by developing new standards in occupations important to employers.
The Maritime SuperSkills Project is partly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), and is led by Liverpool John Moores University, supported by Mersey Maritime and four local FE Colleges.
Over the past year, the project has worked with Trailblazer groups of employers, including Stena Line, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Peel Ports to develop higher-level standards for Marine Technical Superintendent, Marine Surveyor and Harbour Master, and will be working to complete these standards over the coming months.
Employers on these Trailblazers have had first-hand experience of the IFA development process and have worked with colleagues from other organisations to agree the skills and training needed for the future.
Employers have noted 'The Maritime SuperSkills Project offers employers the opportunity to shape the maritime occupations of the future, whilst contributing to the strengthening of the local economy. It's an effective way of nurturing talent by providing people with the prospect of a high-level occupation and a clear pathway for future career progression.'
SME employers are being urged to get involved with regard to the skills agenda. Increased productivity is the mantra of the times and there is a demonstrable link between skills and increased productivity, but how easy is it to achieve in reality? The Maritime SuperSkills Project wants to hear from SMEs themselves about some of the issues, barriers and challenges they are facing in upskilling their workforce.
To find out more, the Maritime SuperSkills Project is hosting an employer event on Wednesday 5th December 2018 at Sensor City Liverpool, where you can find out about workforce training and development initiatives as well as funding opportunities for SMEs.
To register to attend the event please follow the link:
https://tinyurl.com/ybbmnhrc
To find out more about the Maritime SuperSkills Project please contact Diane Fitch and the project team:
Email: MSS@ljmu.ac.uk
Phone: 0151 231 2790
Or visit the website at https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/maritime-superskills
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