NEW APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ANNOUNCED
05/10/2011 WorldSkills UK
-€¢ New analysis reveals fastest growing skills-based jobs of the last decadeOver 1,300 new Apprenticeships have been announced by some of the UK's largest and most innovative companies to mark the start of WorldSkills London 2011, the world's greatest international skills Competition, jobs and careers event.
Employers announcing the new Apprenticeships include technology companies 3M, Cisco and XMA, BMW's UK dealers, Bentley Motors, precision measurement specialist Renishaw and hair and beauty supplier Ellisons.
Starbucks has also announced that it will be using WorldSkills London 2011 as a platform to recruit 1,000 new permanent salaried trainees as it prepares for London 2012.
Hundreds more employers are also attending WorldSkills to recruit people into real job vacancies. In addition, colleges and training providers from across the UK including learndirect and City & Guilds, will provide access to a wide range of other learning places, courses and Apprenticeships.
The announcements come as analysis conducted by WorldSkills London 2011 reveals beauticians, fitness instructors and nursery nurses were the fastest growing vocationally skilled jobs of the last decade, rising in number by 107%, 48% and 41% respectively (1). Yet, while this trend is expected to continue, the low carbon economy, social changes and evolving technologies will see the creation of a number of newer skills and 'green collar' careers which will shape our future work places.
Aidan Jones, chief executive of WorldSkills London 2011, commented: "The analysis clearly shows the opportunities available for those with vocational skills and how skills will become increasingly important in the future. Skills shape our world and as such it is vital young people and parents are aware of how the working world is evolving.
"There are likely to be some stark advances in the skills in demand and the industries in which people work in the future. For example, job titles such as Solar PV fitter, Offshore Wind Technician and Wind Turbine Technician could become mainstream. We could even see roles like Old Age Wellness Manager(2) or Robot Mechanic(2) growing significantly in number as skilled occupations of the future. The hundreds of employers, colleges and exhibitors at WorldSkills London 2011 who are pledging to provide real Apprenticeships, real jobs and real courses for the next generation evidence how skills are in greater demand than ever before."
Commenting on the analysis, Lesley Giles, UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) said: "Emerging technology, changing consumer trends and the low carbon agenda are all likely to influence the demand for future skills. These forces have acted on the labour market over the last decade, as we can see with the changes evidenced here. The Commission expects that such change will continue with some very specific effects: for example, demand for childcare is expected to grow (2) and, with an estimated 6.3 million people aged 75 or over by 2021 (4), so too will the need for skilled care professionals - in particular those with the skills to meet the increasingly complex social care needs of the UK.
"Engineering is another area that is expected to increase as the UK looks to develop high level skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects. This will be critical as we move towards the future and also in replacing workers set for retirement."
John Hayes MP. Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said, "Apprenticeships are valued by employers, sought after by learners, and vital to meeting the skills needs of tomorrow and securing future growth. That is why this Government is creating the biggest apprenticeships programme this country has seen."
Theo Paphitis, Dragon's Den star and one of the UK's most high profile businessmen, commented: "Skills are vital to ensuring the UK's future as one of the World's biggest economies. Skills not only provide the talent organisations need to thrive, evolve and grow but also give people a firm grounding on which to start their own enterprises. An area of particular interest to me is technology and the digital economy. Continued and growing demand for advanced skills in this industry are predicted as new technology comes to market, influencing even more aspects of our everyday lives - from virtual learning and social networking to medicine and entertainment."
Leonie Williams, Head of Personnel Manufacturing and Skills Development at Bentley will join the Business in the Community Big Conversation at WorldSkills London 2011 on 5th October, and said: "Skills development, good quality Apprenticeships and training programmes represent the bedrock on which our future is built. They allow young people to flourish and help make companies such as Bentley more globally competitive and, in the case of manufacturing, to help rebalance the UK economy."
Ben Taylor, Assistant Chief Executive of Renishaw says: "Skills development is vital to enable Renishaw to maintain its leadership in advanced engineering and scientific solutions for measurement and healthcare. That is why we have run our own Apprenticeship and undergraduate schemes for over 25 years, launched our own skills academy last year, and this summer gave placements to some 70 university students."
Zoe Dickson, HR Director of 3M says: "As an innovation company 3M will always need talented individuals to ensure we can continue to grow and prosper into the future. The very best companies look for the very best people. However, being technically skilled is not enough in itself - equally important are those 'soft' skills such as the ability to interact with others and communicate effectively."
Other skilled occupations which have seen dramatic growth in the last decade include rail construction and maintenance operatives (38% increase), other construction and building trades (35% increase), nursing assistants (34% increase), plasterers (34% increase) and engineering technicians (31%). Engineering roles also feature prominently on the list with the number of mechanical engineers growing by 23%, electrical engineers by 19% and civil engineers by 12%.
WorldSkills London 2011 takes place from 5-8th October at ExCeL London. 1,000 young people from more than 50 member countries and regions will compete in 46 skill areas including mobile robotics, mechatronics, automobile technology and mechanical engineering. The event aims to inspire and enthuse people, of all ages, about their future careers and the endless possibilities that exist. Admission is free for those who have pre-booked at www.worldskillslondon2011.com.
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