Modern Apprenticeships

Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in Scotland in 1995, with Motor Vehicle being the first Framework approved. Funding to develop ‘Frameworks’ (which set out the rules and requirements of each apprenticeship programme) was provided by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

This funding was accessed by Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) who would bid to develop new Frameworks in specific occupational sectors. For occupational sectors where ITOs did not have the relevant expertise at that stage, organisations such as COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) took the lead to quickly develop a number of Frameworks so that they would be available for employers and apprentices to access.

Modern Apprenticeship Implementation Group (MAIG)

The group responsible for ‘endorsing’ or approving Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks was called the Modern Apprenticeship Implementation Group (MAIG), comprising of representatives from Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) and the National Council of Industry Training Organisations (NCITO) Scotland. John Cunningham, from Lanarkshire Development Agency, was the first Chair of the group and remained so until he retired.

MA Bulletin

MA Bulletin was the name of the regular newsletter aimed at keeping stakeholders up to date with developments with Modern Apprenticeships. And these newsletters offer a fascinating window into how the MA programme has developed over the years.

In MA Bulletin Issue 2, dated September 1995, there are just two Frameworks available – Motor Vehicle and Marine Engineering. And at this time, framework titles were prefixed with ‘SkillSeekers’ to highlight that they were funded through the SkillSeekers funding stream – hence they were referred to as ‘SkillSeekers Modern Apprenticeships’.

Issue 2 also includes a handy guide for ITOs interested in accessing funding to develop new Frameworks. And a very useful FAQ section includes a question on a popular topic with apprenticeships over the years – core skills!

In MA Bulletin Issue 24, dated June 2000, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire records its 1000th Skillseekers Modern Apprentice, with Bill Ure from JB Management Services pictured with successful Distribution and Warehousing Operations apprentices.

And not to be outdone, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire records its 2000th Apprentice – with its Director of Knowledge and Learning (and Chair of MAIG), John Cunningham, pictured with an apprentice from Thomson Litho in East Kilbride.  Finally, the FAQs has two questions about core skills; in 2000, there were seven core skills!

In MA Bulletin Issue 27, dated July 2001, 73 Frameworks have been ‘endorsed’ or approved – and the front cover picture shows some of the members of MAIG. By this time, membership had been extended to include the Scottish Executive, SQA Accreditation and the Careers Service. It would be another year before STF was invited to join the group.

Issue 27 also reports that – for the first time – Modern Apprenticeship funding is now available for the 25 plus age group – big news back then! And a listing of the Top 20 Frameworks in the Scottish Enterprise and Highland & Islands areas is provided – showing that Construction had the most apprentices ‘in training’ in both areas. Finally, there is some guidance on – you’ve guessed it – core skills!

In MA Bulletin Issue 28, published in January 2002, Alasdair Morrison MSP, former Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, graces the front cover with the first Hospitality Modern Apprentices in Scotland to have their programmed delivered and assessed online.

Articles include an announcement that National Training Organisations will be replaced by Sector Skills Bodies. And statistics are provided for the ‘pilot’ funding of apprentices aged 25 and over. New branding for the programme – bright orange and yellow – is showcased in a suite of new information leaflets.

Other curiosities from the era include an apprenticeship with SCOTCAT credits, the MA Challenge Fund and a Rough Guide CD-ROM!

In MA Bulletin Issue 31, dated November 2002, the big news is about the first ever Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards held in October in Edinburgh’s Caledonian Hotel. Iain Gray MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, presented the winners and finalist with their trophies and certificates in front of 120 guests.

And the Scottish Executive announced a new MA target – 25,000 apprentices in training by 2005-06 – with an additional £25 being made available to meet this target. Two new MA Frameworks were approved – Dental Nursing and Learning & Development. – bringing the total number of Frameworks available to 75.

In MA Bulletin Issue 38, dated July 2004, the First Minister, Jack McConnell, and Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice, are on the cover presenting a Business Administration Modern Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion to an apprentice who worked in Ms Jamieson’s constituency office.

The big story in this issue is that the Scottish Executive target of 30,000 apprentices in training had been achieved two years ahead of schedule. The ‘in training’ targets were replaced with ‘new apprenticeships’ targets in 2008. Surprisingly, the completion rates for apprenticeships in 2004 were sitting at a lowly 50%. No surprise, then, that the focus of activity moved to improving these rates.

Other highlights:

• A new Toolkit for Training Providers, produced by Scottish Enterprise – with support from STF and SFEU (Scottish Further Education Unit)
• Lesley Riddoch chairing a discussion on the future of Apprenticeships at the SSAScot (Sector Skills Alliance Scotland) conference in Nairn. Feisty stuff!
• JB Management celebrate training the UK’s first Modern Apprentice to achieve the Level 5 VQ in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
• Training Matters holds its annual awards ceremony to celebrate the success of its unique online management programmes
• Vocational courses for S3 and S4 pupils are launched in Dumfries and Galloway – a forerunner of Foundation Apprenticeships, perhaps?

In MA Bulletin Issue 30  – dated August 2002 – `The Pie’s The Limit’ for Jennifer Craig who was the first person in Scotland to achieve the Modern Apprenticeship in Craft Bakery. News also about a new TV advertising campaign for Modern Apprenticeships, featuring two girls on a bus and a family at the dinner table.

The Modern Apprenticeship Challenge Fund – offering sector bodies up to £5,000 to deliver innovative projects to promote Scottish Modern Apprenticeships – would be welcomed in 2022! And there’s a postbag feature with questions from readers on various aspects of the MA programme – including the length of time it takes sector bodies to issue Certificates of Completion. Finally, there are various references to the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) – whatever happened to it!

Current STF members mentioned in this issue include: Carousel Training, CITB, Babcock, Rewards, Train Shetland and Inverness College.

MA Bulletin Issue 40, dated March 2005, includes an update on a review undertaken by the Modern Apprenticeship Implementation Group (MAIG). New Standard Framework and Proposal documents have been introduced – and the membership has been increased to ensure it is more representative of key stakeholders. Adam Weir is the STF representative.

This issue also includes an article about Modern Apprentices who received their MA Certificates of Completion from a trio of Ministers at the `new’ Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh.

The latest take up statistics show that there were more than 34,000 Modern Apprentices in training. The statistics are still separated out between the Scottish Enterprise area and the Highlands & Islands Enterprise area.

STF Members in this issue include: JB Management, Train Shetland and Fife College.