Dragon’s Den star’s skills review given cautious welcome

A REVIEW into apprenticeships by entrepreneur and former Dragon’s Den star Doug Richard has been welcomed by a local training provider.

Martin Grubb, chairman of Career Creators – a network of training providers in Birmingham and Solihull – said he is cautiously optimistic that Richard’s appointment – announced by business secretary Vince Cable – will bring positive results.

But he warned against introducing wholesale changes to the current system.

“First of all, I should say that we are delighted to see government keeping a strong and continued focus on skills and a commitment to the apprenticeship programme,” he said.

“As training providers, we work with employers and apprentices every day and would welcome revisions to the programme gained from best practice elsewhere, which would strengthen and value added to apprenticeships.

“We would be delighted to be involved in the consultation with Mr Richard.

“What we believe would be damaging, would be wholesale sweeping changes, that do not build on the successes and platform we already have in place.

“Over the past decade we have seen constant changes to how apprenticeships are delivered and funded, and this has meant that young people are not getting the service they deserve as training providers are busy adjusting their services to fit with new government mandates.”

“The quality of apprenticeships has been raised significantly, and we can go further, but let’s not have change for changes sake.”

Career Creators is a network of 50 approved training organisations in Birmingham and Solihull, focused on the provision of information, support and opportunities for apprenticeships and vocational training programmes.