Tim Richards
Managing director, Bond UK
“My only question would be whether the public sector is equipped to process the new apprentices - this will be no small administrative ask for a largely over-stretched public sector. Apprentices will need to be added to the HR systems accurately. But future talent must be reflected in the recruitment needs, for fear of recruiting new personnel for roles already performed by apprentices, potentially undermining the entire point of the scheme if the apprentice is subsequently demoted to menial tasks rather than meaningful work experience.”

Elliott Rae
Head of education practice, Veredus
“With the private sector currently offering 90% of apprenticeships, the 21,000 public sector apprenticeships is good news for young people and the public services. With young people among the hardest hit by unemployment, creating new vocationally focused routes into careers in public service is timely. Recovery from recession needs a new generation of skilled workers. Apprenticeships offer young people the chance to develop skills in the workplace that public sector employers need most.”

Jack Markiewicz
Director of HR and change, Swindon Council and PPMA lead on talent
“This is brilliant news. Local government, like other public services, has an ageing workforce and we need young people to develop careers in the public services. This initiative will give struggling youngsters who are keen to work, an opportunity to get some really top notch skills and support the hard working professionals in the public services. The PPMA will be urging employers to make the most of this opportunity and to offer high quality placements.