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Press Release

Justice sector supports apprenticeships

21 November 2011

ALMOST three quarters of employers believe apprenticeships will benefit their business, according to a workforce skills survey conducted by leading sector skills council Skills for Justice.

The survey of employers in the justice, community safety and legal services sectors has revealed that 72 per cent are positive about apprenticeships as a route to gaining the qualifications and skills required for their business.

Skills for Justice Research Manager Jon Parry said: "The employers who took part in our survey consider apprenticeships an attractive means for gaining qualifications and securing basic and technical skills. A number of employers also believe apprentices are important in providing support roles and functions and are crucial for improving the age mix of members of staff."

Many of those employers who responded already had apprenticeships in place while others said they would like to pursue them as an option. However, some employers also identified potential obstacles to a steady uptake of apprenticeship programmes. These included:

• Funding
• Health and safety concerns
• Adequate provision of supervision time for apprentices

Some concerns also arose due to the sensitive nature of the work carried out in the sectors. Jon added: "Many of the services require the management of confidential information."

What was clear from responses to the survey is that apprenticeships are seen as a key pathway to learning and development within the justice, community and legal services sectors.

The full research report is due to be published later this year.

Skills for Justice helps employers in the justice, community safety and legal services sectors to develop the skills, knowledge and expertise of their workforce for the benefit of the public. It offers apprenticeships, National Occupational Standards (NOS), careers information, advice and guidance, professional development programmes and a wide range of other tools to help employers get the best from their people. Skills for Justice is also now engaging with the armed services and local government sectors on the development of skills.



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