Modern apprenticeships in Scotland

Abstract

The paper provides an analysis of the take‐up of modern apprenticeships in Scotland for the period 1999–2001. The methodology includes secondary data sources and a case study. The findings indicate that, although the numbers participating in the MA scheme have increased, there remain major concerns both with completion rates and the quality of the programme. The authors also question the relevance of using pedagogically driven theoretical models to understand the complex and dynamic nature of work‐based employment practices.

Keywords:

• Modern Apprenticeships
• Post‐compulsory education
• Work‐based education
• Situated learning

Notes

* Corresponding author: Institute of Education, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. Email: [email protected]

Skillseekers is a national scheme for training the unemployed in Scotland

The Enterprise network are Government sponsored agencies who have responsibility for managing training schemes.

Statistical analysis of the trend shown here produces a Kendall's tau‐b correlation coefficient of (1.000 at 0.042 significance, and Pearson correlation (after controlling for the effect of the changing total population) of –1.000 and significance of 0.000. The high correlations and marked significance levels are no doubt in part due to the very small size of the sample, but the underlying trend: that as the level of MA participation has risen, the number of people pursuing other Skillseekers qualifications has fallen. This was during a period of stability in the numbers of young people entering full‐time education.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roy Canning *

* Corresponding author: Institute of Education, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. Email: [email protected]