Apprenticeships

representativesA short guide for union safety

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This publication was producedin partnership with the TradeUnion Congress (TUC). Thepurpose of the booklet is to raise awareness amongst unionsafety representatives aboutApprenticeships and highlightthe opportunity that they haveto support apprentices in theworkplace. In this way, safetyrepresentatives can help to ensure that apprentices learn and work in a safe,healthy and supportiveenvironment.

A short guide for union safety

Apprenticeships

representatives

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Apprenticeships

Summary

Apprenticeships are trainingprogrammes undertaken in theworkplace, giving young people the opportunity to earnmoney while developing valuableskills and qualifications.Apprenticeship programmes arefunded by the Learning and SkillsCouncil (LSC), and are deliveredby independent learningproviders and further educationcolleges. Union safetyrepresentatives can play an

essential role in supportingapprentices and ensuring thatthey have a safe and healthyworking environment during theirApprenticeships. The workplacecan be a dangerous place, inwhich tragic and fatal accidentssometimes occur. Young peopleare particularly vulnerable in aworking environment and havespecific health and safety requirements.

July 2005

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Apprenticeships

Introduction

Over a quarter of a million youngpeople are involved inApprenticeship programmes.These programmes offer moreflexibility than previously, withdifferent entry levels: for example,young Apprenticeships for the14–16 age group: a pre-Apprenticeship route for thoseyoung people who may havelacked formal learningopportunities, and the opening upof Apprenticeships to adults.

Apprenticeships provide theopportunity for learners to “earnand learn” in a wide range ofoccupations and sectors.Through a combination ofGovernment-funded training andworkplace experience, youngpeople can develop high-qualityskills and qualifications.

Apprenticeships also placelearners in a work environment,which can prove dangerous.Unfortunately, some youngpeople on Apprenticeshipprogrammes have lost their liveswhile undertaking work basedlearner training. All these deathswere avoidable. In many casesthere was inadequate supervisionand a lack of risk assessment.

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Apprenticeships

Promoting Apprenticeships

There are a growing number ofApprenticeships being offeredwithin the workplace, and theTUC has supported thisdevelopment. Unions can anddo play an important role inApprenticeships, by promotingthem to both employers andmembers. We should encouragethe use of Apprenticeshipsbecause:• Apprenticeships give

opportunities to young peopleand bring new people into anindustry

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Apprenticeships

The Role of TUC Safety Representatives

• health and safety is part ofthe induction training, andthat it is appropriate for thekind of work that theapprentice will be doing

• supervisors are trained andcompetent to supervise ayoung person, and are giventhe time to do so

• health and safety is anintegral part of the trainingthat the apprentices receive

• the employer monitors thetraining being given at regularintervals

• all injuries and work-relatedillnesses of apprentices arerecorded and analysedseparately

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Apprenticeships

The Role of TUC Safety Representatives

• the college or providerregularly monitors the training.

In addition, safetyrepresentatives can play a usefulrole in supporting and mentoringapprentices.

No young people should beplaced in a situation where theyrisk serious injury, damagedhealth or even death. Unioninvolvement can help makeApprenticeship schemes saferand help reduce the number offatal tragedies that we haveseen.

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Apprenticeship programmes arefunded by the LSC. Learningproviders, which are eitherindependent providers or furthereducation colleges, play animportant role in the delivery ofApprenticeships.

This role can include: agreeing atraining plan with the apprentice;recruiting apprentices, orsupporting existing staff ontoApprenticeships; managing

assessments; ensuring nationalquality standards are met; anddelivering teaching and learning.Independent providers andfurther education colleges arecontracted to do this throughthe LSC.

Apprenticeships

Funding and Delivering Apprenticeship Programmes

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For more information, contact the LSC or Sector Skills DevelopmentAgency or your nearest TUC Learning Services Coordinator. Contact details are given below.

Learning and Skills Council

Cheylesmore HouseQuinton RoadCoventryCV1 2WT

www.lsc.gov.ukwww.apprenticeships.org.ukwww.safelearner.info

T 0845 019 4170

Sector Skills DevelopmentAgencyCallflex Business ParkGolden Smithies LaneWath-upon-DearneSouth YorkshireS63 7ER

www.ssda.org.uk

T 01709 765 444

TUC Learning Services

www.learningservices.org.ukwww.unionreps.org.uk

Mr Barry FrancisSouth East Region TUCLearning ServicesCongress House Great Russell StreetLondonWC1B 3LS

bfrancis@tuc.org.uk

T 020 7467 1251

Ms Mary AlysMidlands TUC Learning Services24 Livery RoadBirminghamB3 2PA

malys@tuc.org.uk

T 0121 236 3327

Apprenticeships

Contact Details

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Ms Marion SimonYorkshire and Humber TUCLearning ServicesFriends Provident House13/14 South ParadeLeedsLS1 5QS

msimon@tuc.org.uk

T 0113 245 4909

Mr Dave EvaNorthwest TUC LearningServicesSuite 506–510The Cotton ExchangeOld Hall StreetLiverpoolL3 9UD

deva@tuc.org.uk

T 0151 236 5366

Mr Barney McGillNorthern TUC Learning ServicesTransport HouseJohn Dobson StreetNewcastle Upon TyneNE1 8TW

ahansen@tuc.org.uk

T 0191 232 3175

Ms Helen ColeSouth West TUC LearningServicesGround Floor, Church HouseChurch RoadFiltonBristolBS34 7BD

hcole@tuc.org.uk

T 0117 947 0521

Apprenticeships

Contact Details

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Apprenticeships

Notes

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Apprenticeships

Promoting Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships can provideprogression routes to higher-level skills and qualifications

• taking on apprentices canfacilitate a training culture inan organisation, which can beof benefit to everyone

• the training that apprenticesreceive should includetraining on health and safety,and safe working methods

• union support for apprenticescan lead to improvements tothe scheme and ensure thatapprentices are paid a fairwage

• apprentices can bring in anew generation of membersand help build the union.

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Union representatives can helpsupport apprentices in theworkplace and help ensure asafe and healthy workingenvironment. Safetyrepresentatives should beworking with stewards andunion learning representatives toensure that health and safety iscore to any Apprenticeshipscheme. This means makingsure that:

• apprentices are part of alearning agreement betweenthe union and employer,covering training and skillsopportunities

• the union is involved in anyinitial discussions with theprovider or college before thescheme is introduced into theworkplace

• the employer has done a fulland sufficient risk assessmenton all aspects of theproposed work of theapprentices before they start,and that these take intoaccount the lack ofexperience and lack ofawareness about possiblerisks

Apprenticeships

The Role of TUC Safety Representatives

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Learning and Skills Council National Office

Cheylesmore HouseQuinton RoadCoventryCV1 2WTT 0845 019 4170F 024 7682 3675www.lsc.gov.uk

You can also find this document on ourwebsites: www.lsc.gov.uk

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

LSC Helpdesk 0870 900 6800© LSC July 2005

LSC-P-NAT-050031

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