UK Government want apprenticeships in public contracts

23 Apr 2009

Skills Secretary, John Denham has today welcomed new Office of Government Commerce guidance to help Government departments encourage contractors to provide apprenticeships in all publicly let contracts.

The guide advises those responsible for procurement how to work within UK and EU regulations to include skills and apprenticeship requirements in public procurement processes as long as the requirements are relevant and how they can promote skills and apprenticeships at each stage of the procurement process.

Commenting, Mr Denham said: 'In tough times like these it is vital that we continue to invest in our nation's skills. We want to play a leading role by making greater use of the £175 billion a year Government spends procuring goods and services to promote skills and training opportunities.'