ECUK welcomes launch of national Apprenticeships service

The increase in availability of engineering apprenticeships, which will be created by the Government's launch of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) this week, is being welcomed by the Engineering Council UK (ECUK).

Andrew Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of ECUK says, "We see the introduction of the NAS as a very positive step, which will undoubtedly open the door for more people of all ages to enter the engineering profession.  Apprenticeships have always played an important role in engineering."

The integrated training and experience provided by a large number of engineering-based Advanced Apprenticeships can offer a direct route to Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration, providing the individual with most or all of the necessary competence.

In addition, many of those joining the profession as apprentices have gone on to achieve a high status in engineering, becoming Incorporated Engineers (IEng) or Chartered Engineers (CEng).  And several Presidents of Professional Engineering Institutions are themselves former apprentices.

"NAS provides the necessary safeguards to ensure the quality of engineering apprenticeships throughout the UK," says Andrew Ramsay.  "It will play an invaluable role in helping to spread the word to employers as well as potential apprentices.  In particular, it will make sure that the essential experience of developing competence through work in real industrial, construction or business environments remains central to, and a highly valued aspect of, the concept of apprenticeship."