Apprenticeships are an industrial issue
- Carl Parker
- Apr 26, 2018
- 1 min read
Despite (or maybe because of) the introduction of the Apprentice Levy, the number of new apprenticeships has fallen over the last year by 25%. More than ever before, how employers run their apprentice schemes and the effect this has on both new and existing employees needs to picked up by union negotiators.
GMB wants to ensure that we secure the best possible terms and conditions for apprentices and to ensure that they are safe at work and in receipt of quality, meaningful training. This means sitting down with employers to negotiate and agree how this can be achieved.
GMB also wants to ensure that employers are continuing to train and develop existing staff and not cutting their learning and development budgets in order to pay the Apprentice Levy (0.5% of the pay bill for employers with a pay bill of more than £3m).
Guidance for officers and reps has been produced by GMB to help support the discussions that need to be picked up with employers - you can download it here. The TUC has also produced a toolkit which is well worth a read and can be viewed online here - https://www.unionlearn.org.uk/apprenticeships-toolkit/
Please contact carl.parker@gmb.org.uk for further information.
