Skills – Third Sector is writing a framework for apprenticeships to meet the needs of third sector organisations.

We need to make sure that the framework structure reflects the views of third sector employers, training providers and people who want to work for charities, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations.

The consultation is now open and will run until 28 April. Please fill out the consultation to tell us what skills and knowledge apprentices employed in charities, social enterprises and other third sector organisations should gain while training on the job. You can enter a prize draw for a £100 Amazon voucher.

Background to apprenticeships in the third sector

Apprenticeships are on-the-job training that lead to nationally recognised qualifications. They are developed by employers and training providers who know their sector well. Third sector organisations have a particular role to play in developing apprenticeships that train people in skills that third sector organisations need, such as campaigning or fundraising, to help them make a difference to people and their communities. It is these apprenticeships that our framework is designed to support.

There are over 1.5 million people working for third sector organisations but there are fewer than 8,000 apprenticeships available. Charities, social enterprises and other third sector organisations need skilled employees and to fill skills gaps. They also need to attract a new generation to work for them. Apprenticeships can address these needs.

However, research carried out by Skills – Third Sector and others found that charities and social enterprises have found it difficult to offer apprenticeships if their funding is mainly project based. They need guaranteed funding to pay for the apprentice during the time that the training takes, and beyond. Charities also did not want to enter into partnerships with the profit-making training providers who make up most of the apprenticeships’ training market.

A Group Training Association for third sector apprenticeships is being set up to help to address these barriers. It will help charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations secure government funding to train apprentices. It will also match not-for-profit training providers from the third sector to charities and social enterprises that want to offer apprenticeships.

Skills – Third Sector is a partner in the Group Training Association.

Political support for apprenticeships

The Apprenticeships Skills Children and Learning Act 2009 aims to significantly increase the numbers of apprentices, especially at the advanced level (Level 3), and promote apprenticeships to those who have not traditionally taken them up. It also aims to encourage ‘new’ sectors, such as third sector employers, to take on apprentices.