Funding exclusion sees suspension of Translink apprenticeship programme

Marking Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week Unite has released research highlighting the growing problem of the lack of apprenticeships in the public sector. The union’s report demonstrates that the number of apprenticeships has dropped substantially in the last year e.g. with the suspension of the extensive apprenticeship programme by public transport company Translink.

The union identifies the cause as a combination of tightening budgets and the exclusion of public sector bodies from accessing the region’s apprenticeship fund.

Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK which excludes public bodies from accessing funding support arising from the Apprenticeship Levy. Last year, while £73 million was made available to support apprenticeships only £48 million was drawn down.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Apprenticeships are an investment for the future. An investment in young people who get the skills they need to succeed, an investment for the economy as a whole and an investment for our public services.

“Public services employ more than a quarter of Northern Ireland’s workforce – excluding them from apprenticeship funding is a missed opportunity to increase the number of places for young people. It is time for Stormont to deliver.”

Apprenticeships play a vital role in offering young people – especially those coming from deprived backgrounds – a pathway to a rewarding career. They are also vital for raising economic productivity and have been a key means for public sector bodies to recruit and retain staff in otherwise hard to fill positions.

Unite regional officer Gareth Scott said, “The exclusion of public bodies from apprenticeship funding in Northern Ireland is short-sighted and a false economy. Apprenticeships are vital for public services to fill skilled positions without them; they have little option but to pay out large sums to private sector contractors. This waste needs to end.”

Unite has thousands of trades and craft workers in membership all of whom have passed through an apprenticeship before starting work. The union has sent all members of the Stormont Assembly a copy of its report on Apprenticeships.

ENDS…

For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Donal O'Cofaigh, Unite campaigns, communications & press (NI), tel. 07810 157926.