AFTER decades of neglect apprenticeships are flavour of the month. Business Editor Andy Richardson looks at one training provider adapting to the demands of a 21st century workplace.

FOR generations apprenticeships were a keystone of North-East industry.

Serving your time was a rite of passage for youngsters looking to get a foothold on the jobs ladder.

Latterly they have been regarded as a poor relation to degree courses. Efforts to get more youngsters onto apprenticeships have raised fears that the quality of training has been compromised.

Sandwiched between the A-Level and GCSE results the government last week launched 40 new apprenticeships in England as part of a drive to increase the number of young people taking the option to earn while they learn.

The new opportunities will be in areas in areas such as engineering, law, accountancy and hospitality, as well as journalism.

Students are advised to research the job prospects in a particular industry before taking the plunge.

Vince Cable, speaking from the set of ITV soap Emmerdale - where apprentices were involved in behind-the-scenes work - said: “For too long there has been a divide between university and vocational education which has been damaging for both employers and young people.

“Placing university degrees and apprenticeships on an equal footing will help break down barriers and better meet the needs of business.”

Skills Minister Nick Boles added: “It is a big challenge we’re setting ourselves for these young people who aren’t going to carry on with academic qualifications.”

Mr Boles added that those who choose apprenticeships would be able to earn while they learn and could go on to full degree courses after completion, or remain in employment.

“One hurdle we have to clear is parents; is your mum or dad going to be as proud of you for doing this rather than go to university?” he said.

"If we can persuade people that it’s a completely reasonable decision to opt for an apprenticeship instead, and it doesn’t mean you’re giving up on your future - you can still go on to university - hopefully we’ll have done our job.”

South West Durham Training has been producing engineering apprentices for almost half a century.

Not all of the some 6,000 trainees that have passed through the doors have gone on to pursue a successful career in industry. North-East comedian Vic Reeves for example, was a product of the Newton Aycliffe centre's renowned mechanical engineering course.

But scores of SWDT graduates have become some of the region's most successful business figures, including Stewart Wingate, the chief executive at Gatwick Airport, Mike McCabe, former plant manager at Cummins Engines, in Darlington, Mike Matthews, managing director of Eaglescliffe-based Nifco UK, Caraline (CORRECT) Robinson, Husqvarna's operations director in Spennymoor, and Gareth Berry, vice-president of Electrolux Major Appliances' global operations.

A proud history, however, is not enough to sustain any business.

The eye watering costs of university degrees, as well as stubbornly high levels of youth unemployment have increased the appeal of training courses that combine on-the-job experience.

Among the challenges facing apprenticeship providers is to ensure that the training delivers the credibility and quality that employers demand.

Furthermore, there is increased pressure on training providers such as SWDT to up their game amid rising competition for students.

The Government confirmed earlier this month that the North-East’s first new University Technical College will open its doors in 2016 a few hundred meters from SWDT. The Sunderland University-run centre will be capable of taking 600 engineering students a year.

The UTC has been backed by car parts maker Gestamp Tallent, one of the area’s leading engineers, and Hitachi Rail Europe, which will open a 730-jobs train factory adjacent to Aycliffe Business Park in about a year.

“Yes, the UTC is a challenge, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t,” says Trevor Alley, chief executive of SWDT. “But I want it to be more a case of us working in partnership with them to ensure we both offer the best possible training than as us being direct competitors.

“There is room for both of us.”

In the meantime SWDT is not standing still.

Hitachi, which has used the Xcel Centre as a temporary base until its factory is built, needs more space to accommodate a growing workforce. Former SWDT training rooms are being converted into offices and by the end of the year about 70 Hitachi staff will be based ton the site.

The partnership with Hitachi will see SWDT train its apprentices and even house a mock-up of the type of trains that will be built at the Aycliffe factory from spring 2016.

In addition, a prototype of the high speed trains that will run on the East Coast Line from 2017 will be shipped from Hitachi headquarters in Japan and arrive at the SWDT site in December.

Mr Alley adds: “We already have ties with Hitachi but this takes things to the next level. It is a mark of their confidence in our ability to deliver that they are bringing their prototype train here where we will help to prepare their staff to work in the new factory. It’s very exciting."

Last week SWDT announced it would become part of Bishop Auckland College.

The Aycliffe trainer will retain its own name and charitable status, but the move will allow it to broaden its curriculum and share resources.

SWDT recently announced that 16 staff were leaving the organisation as part of cost-cutting measures, but Mr Alley insists that the link-up with Bishop Auckland will not mean more jobs losses.

“The two organisations have worked closely for several years and both boards believed that the time was right for a more formal partnership to extend the provision of technical training in engineering, manufacturing and allied trades, to meet labour market demands,” he said.

Since joining SWDT a year ago Mr Alley, a former Ofsted inspector, has been determined to raise standards.

This culminated in a recent Ofsted inspection report where SWDT was given the top grade in all four areas: overall effectiveness, outcomes for learners, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and effectiveness of leadership and management.

The Ofsted inspectors were so impressed with the centre’s practice in the use of data and the teaching of English and maths that these are to be recognised as two areas of best practice for providers across the country to learn from.

Mr Alley, adds “I knew only too well what was required to improve the training environment at SWDT – I’m thrilled that the inspectors recognised the hard work and commitment shown by not only our staff but also the learners. I was particularly pleased that the report commented that leaders, managers and staff at SWDT are passionate about what they contribute to the success of their learners and apprentices.”

“It’s a tremendous achievement for any training provider to receive an outstanding report and I’m delighted the team’s hard work over the past year has paid off to make a complete turnaround."

“We have a long-term vision for South West Durham Training and that is to raise aspirations and attainment among our learners and produce highly skilled engineers who will excel when they leave us. Substantial progress has been made over the past year and we hope to continue this great work and build on the momentum.”

Ofsted noted that "Very good development plans are in place to sustain and improve provision further."

"This is a step in the right direction, but we can't rest on our laurels. There is so much more I want us to achieve, adds Mr Alley.