PATS CHAT

This year's exams results are causing headaches for companies running modern apprenticeships. With staff reduction across the board right now, companies are reducing or suspending modern apprenticeships this year. It's one problem they don't need.

With my own company those interviewed for the training program this year all failed to reach college min entry requirements for courses.

The result is: they can't start on the 31 Aug as expected and there places withdrawn.

I understand there an appeals process for exams results due to the time frame, it's impossible complete the process before the start of the new college term in September. Also there "unease" at accepting teachers recommendations as "exam results".

In 1995 I took on my first apprentice and this is the first year since ones not started in September. For the company this will have little impact........ for those losing their training places it will.