Apprentices

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
• Work with the wider union to support the needs of apprentices in the workplace

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 apprentices. The following are suggestions where unions could make significant contributions to supporting these workers.

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 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.