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NEWSMaking apprenticeships workAbove: OCR Chief Executive Mark Dawe talksapprenticeships with Shadow Skills Minister,Liam Byrne MP (right).OCR held a breakfast meeting in the House of Commons in April onmaking apprenticeships work.Chaired by Shadow Skills Minister Liam Byrne MP, the meetingbrought together employers from across a range of sectorsincluding banking, energy, vehicle manufacturing and construction,as well as senior civil servants from BIS and parliamentarians, toshare experiences of implementing new apprenticeships andto identify areas of concern at a time when apprenticeshipsare undergoing rapid change. The meeting took place shortlyafter the announcement of Phase 2 ‘Trailblazers’, the initiative tomake apprenticeships more responsive to employer needs, andemployers from both Phase 1 and 2 Trailblazer sectors attended thebreakfast event.There was a consensus that well informed careers adviceabout apprenticeships was vital. Many felt that the awarenessof apprenticeships by schools and colleges needed to improve.Different sectors expressed different priorities but employerswanted to be in the driving seat in choosing the type of trainingto suit their needs, not have it determined for them. Startingand running apprenticeship programmes was easier for largerorganisations and more support was needed to get SMEs involved.The SMEs present expressed particular concern about making sureteaching is relevant to their trade and the potential administrativeburden around funding.As well as helping to create exciting new apprenticeships thatmeet employer needs, OCR was particularly interested to listen tofeedback on specific issues such as improving standards of Englishand maths, the grading system and the assessment of competenceat the end of an apprenticeship.Charlotte Bosworth, OCR Director of Skills and Employment, said:“Thanks to a very stimulating discussion and a genuine sharing ofknowledge by all those involved in implementing apprenticeships,this breakfast event produced lots of exciting ideas on makingapprenticeships work. The issue of maths is key and, as a providerof a range of maths qualifications, OCR hopes to inform the debateabout how to achieve the rise in standards that is required.”Liam Byrne MP commented: “When it comes to apprenticeships,the government has focused on quantity over quality, yet thefuture of this country depends on achieving both. The OCR eventwas a brilliant opportunity to pool expertise and discuss the waysin which we can achieve this. This work is vital if we’re to createaccessible opportunities for young people and address the UK’sskills gap.”Cambridge Technicals go internationalThe Ministry of Education and Human Resources in Mauritius istaking advantage of the expertise of both OCR and its sister examboard, Cambridge International Examinations, to offer a newqualification, the Higher School Certificate Professional, whichrecognises the academic and vocational achievement of 18-yearolds.Alongside Cambridge International A Levels, young Mauritianswill now have the opportunity to take OCR’s Level 3 CambridgeTechnical vocational qualifications. In March, a delegation from theMauritius Exams Syndicate visited schools in England includingLong Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge (pictured right), to seehow the Cambridge Technical in IT is delivered. The Chief Executiveof Cambridge International Examinations, Michael O’Sullivan, andOCR’s Head of International Projects, Dominique Slade, visitedMauritius in May to formally celebrate the new HSC ‘Pro’ initiativewith the Mauritian Minister of Education and the head of theMauritius Exams Syndicate.OCR’s Dominique Slade (centre) took a delegation from the MauritiusExams Syndicate to meet students taking the Cambridge Technical in ITat Long Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge.6 OCR AGENDA Summer 2014