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Civil Service Apprenticeships Framework agreement signed

9 February 2010

Charles Cochrane from the Council of Civil Service Unions and Gill Hammond interim chief executive, Government Skills came together during Apprenticeship Week 2010 to sign a framework agreement for the roll out of apprenticeships across the civil service.

Drawn up by Government Skills, the Cabinet Office and the Council of Civil Service Unions, the agreement builds on a successful pathfinder programme and seeks to ensure that apprentices are employed on standard civil service terms and conditions and get high quality training and support.

The agreement follows on from government pledges to increase the number of apprentices in the public sector and provides a corporate approach to apprenticeships across the civil service and relevant NDPBs. This approach applies to apprenticeships for young and older people and is applicable to new recruits and those already working in the civil service who wish to boost their skills.

This agreement supports the 'Protocol for handling surplus staff situations', which provides safeguards for surplus staff as well as ensuring that equality and diversity underpin the recruitment of apprentices.

Signing the framework agreement, Charles Cochrane, said:

“This joint agreement is good news for skills and apprenticeships in the civil service and its associated bodies and builds on the success of the pathfinder programme. It will ensure that apprentices receive civil service terms and conditions and receive high quality training and support. The agreement provides worthwhile opportunities for career development for those in the civil service and those who join in the future.”

Gill Hammond said:

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic business solution. They enhance the workforce, developing and nurturing new and existing talent to fit the current and future needs the public sector. Government Skills has worked with Civil Service Unions, and departments to ensure this framework agreement maximises benefits for Civil Service apprentices and the sector.”

• Civil Service Apprenticeships Framework Agreement [PDF file, 76kb]

Notes to editors

1. Government Skills is the skills body responsible for civil service departments, agencies, NDPBs and the armed forces.
2. Government Skills worked with 16 departments and agencies to deliver the Apprenticeship Pathfinder in 2008-09 which lead to nearly 1,400 people starting apprenticeship training in the civil service.
3. More information about apprenticeships in the civil service is on the Government Skills website
4. Departments and agencies continue to offer apprenticeships in a range of subjects, the most popular of which are customer service, business and administration and management.