Richard has welcomed the announcement of a new £7 million flexi-job apprenticeship scheme, where sectors including the creative, agriculture and construction industries can bid for funding so that their apprentice can work across a range of projects and with different employers.
Traditional apprenticeships require at least a year's worth of unbroken employment, so some sectors with flexible employment patterns such as digital, adult social care, agriculture, transport and manufacturing, as well as project-based work, have found it challenging to benefit from the high-quality opportunities available.
The fund will establish a small number of agencies that will set up new flexi-job apprenticeships so an apprentice can work across a range of projects and with different employers to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to be occupationally competent. For example, someone working in adult social care could undertake care placements with a range of employers – including home care via a care agency, and in nursing home or hospice settings.
MP for North East Bedfordshire and Member of the Business Select Committee, Richard Fuller said:
These new flexible apprenticeships will mean more young people will be able to develop the skills they need to get good jobs in sectors like the creative industries and agriculture where employment is often flexible or short term.
This fund will unleash exciting new opportunities for apprentices and employers in these sectors, creating even more chances for people to experience the life changing opportunity an apprenticeship can bring and driving our recovery out of the pandemic.
