The term ‘apprenticeship’ is to be protected in law, the government has announced. Skills Minister Nick Boles confirmed on 14 June that the term “apprenticeship” would be given legal protection through the Enterprise Bill, which was included in the Queen’s Speech on 27 May.
Mr Boles said: “it’s high time [apprenticeships] were recognised both by the public and in law as being equal to degrees.”
The move will give the government the power to take action when the term is misused to promote low quality courses.
Research published earlier this year into adult apprenticeships for the over-25s also found a lack of consistency in the quality of apprenticeships on offer.
A report funded by the Nuffield Foundation, and carried out by University College London’s Institute of Education said: “Some apprentices experience little more than the accreditation of their existing knowledge and skills, with an absence of significant new learning.”
Employment law is constantly changing and the legislation around apprenticeships creates further complexities.
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