Latest news: Entrepreneur to lead apprenticeship review

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Education have selected Doug Richard to conduct an independent review into the future of apprenticeships.11/06/2012

The Richard Review of Apprenticeships will look at ways to maximise state funding, ensure apprenticeships meet the needs of the UK economy, and guarantee each scheme provides high quality training, as well as the skills and qualifications required by employers in their specific industries

Graduates seeking to enter the business sector could find they benefit from the review, given that Mr Richard is a successful entrepreneur and founder of the School for Startups , with many years’ experience teaching business skills to tens of thousands of business owners.

Business secretary Vince Cable commented, ‘To build a prosperous economy we need a skilled workforce. The apprenticeship programme has been a real success, not only boosting chances for young people, but also helping businesses to address their skills gaps.

‘It is vital that we build on our initial success and continue to look at how apprenticeships can adapt to meet our future needs in the fast-evolving global economy.’

Mr Richard, who won the 2009 Enterprise Educator of the Year award, went on to state, ‘As an entrepreneur, but also as an educator, I am convinced of the importance of business education in helping not only individuals but society at large.

‘For our economy to recover and flourish, we need a workforce that possesses the requisite skills of 21st century commerce and industry. A strong apprenticeship programme is essential in delivering that.’