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Apprenticeships

Union deal on quality apprenticeships in the Civil Service

The Council of Civil Service Unions (CCSU) has negotiated an agreement to promote high-quality apprenticeships in the civil service.

The Government has pledged to increase the number of apprentices in the public sector. There are currently 1,400 apprentices in a successful Government Skills "pathfinder" scheme. This agreement gives apprentices access to the best quality training and support and proper civil service pay and conditions as the scheme rolls out.

While the scheme (and the funding) prioritises young people, there are opportunities for PCS members -the agreement keeps the scheme open to existing employees who want to get a qualification and boost their skills.

The agreement also gives important safeguards:

  • apprentices will not be recruited to posts which could be filled by “surplus” staff
  • departments and agencies will consult PCS and the other trade unions on any plans for introducing apprentices.

Signing the agreement on 4th February with Gill Hammond of Government Skills, Charles Cochrane of the Council of Civil Service Unions said "This agreement is good news for skills and for apprentices in our sector. As well as providing protection and high quality training and support for apprentices it also opens up opportunities for career development for those in the civil service and those who join in the future".

You can download a branch briefing on the Apprenticeships framework agreement here which contains the agreement itself, further information, guidance and contact details.

  Apprenticeships framework agreement - Word version

  Apprenticeships framework agreement - PDF version