Young Workers and Apprentices

Young Workers and Apprentices - Themes

• Developing union approaches to secure employer commitment to the recruitment of Apprentices
• Developing the ULR role and union approaches to support the learning needs of Apprentices
• Supporting young workers through union membership and the development of quality and relevant work experience
• Engaging young workers with their union and ensuring that the union is relevant to their needs

Young Workers and Apprentices - Supporting Information

Unions will need to indicate how they plan to work effectively in the workplace with employers to support the learning and skills development of young workers and those engaged specifically in Apprenticeships. The following are suggestions where unions could make significant contributions to supporting these workers.

Young Workers

• Encourage union membership amongst young workers through the learning agenda.
• Raising awareness and the promotion of statutory rights for paid time off for learning has long been a TUC objective. This should be at the forefront of union activity for 16-17 year olds for the first full level 2.
• Promote the free Level 3 entitlement for 19-25 year olds and ensure these young workers get support for their learning.
• Demonstrate support for the development of quality and relevant work experience for Diplomas.

Supporting Apprentices

• Union Learning Representatives mentoring and supporting apprentices throughout their apprenticeship.
• It is expected that unions will demonstrate how they will link with employers to gain the best possible placements and terms and conditions for apprentices.
• Union Learning Representatives have a great track record in supporting colleagues with Skills for Life and other learning needs and they will bring these skills to working with young workers and apprentices.
• The ULF project working with the union branch structure to encourage employers to take on more apprentices through collective bargaining.
• Develop a union approach to Apprenticeships with an employer commitment to providing full time employment when apprenticeships come to an end