§ Lord Lyellasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to restructure apprentice training within the Army.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)A review of apprentice training arrangements in the Army has recommended, subject to consultation, that they should be restructured along the lines of the government flagship initiative on modern apprenticeship training which is intended to raise the competence and competitiveness of the UK workforce as a whole.
The Army's scheme (which will encompass the Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Logistics Corps and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) would be open to young people aged 16½-18½ and would commence with a common 28 week foundation course at Rowcroft Barracks, Arborfield, followed by technical training at the appropriate army or service's trade training school and a period of on the job training leading to the award of an NVQ level three within three to four years.
The proposals would necessitate some revision to our previous plans to transfer all R SIGNALS apprentice training to Blandford. Under the new arrangements future R SIGNALS apprentices would still complete their trade training at Blandford but only after completing their 28 week foundation course at Arborfield.