Apprenticeships APPG wants clearing of apprenticeships standards backlog
As a sponsor of the group, EngineeringUK welcomes the report and its focus on ensuring the apprenticeships system is fit for purpose.
The APPG’s annual report, published this month, makes 6 recommendations to improve the apprenticeships landscape and make them more widely available.
The report also includes contributions from stakeholders and organisations, including EngineeringUK, with a wide range of evidence and case studies.
The recommendations are:
- Ensure an employer-led system
This will put employers at the heart of the skills agenda, and make Skills England play a central role in co-designing reforms - Clear the apprenticeship standards backlog
The significant backlog of apprenticeship standards awaiting review and approval need urgent attention - Introduce modular apprenticeships
Make more flexible, modular apprenticeship models to boost access and completion rates while also maintaining high standards - Develop a UCAS-style system for apprenticeships
The creation of a centralised system to match unsuccessful applicants with apprenticeship vacancies, (especially with SMEs) will increase their uptake - Increase transparency around Levy spending
Clarity on how Apprenticeships Levy funds are reinvested will go far to restore employer confidence and public trust - Support SMEs with a dedicated toolkit
A practical and easy-to-use toolkit for SMEs will help them navigate the recruitment, training, and retention of apprentices
In the year since the current government came to power, it has launched a package of reforms designed to support and strengthen the UK’s skills offer, resulting in substantial changes to the apprenticeships landscape. Recent policy changes include the relaxation of functional skills rules for some apprentices, the decision to defund Level 7 apprenticeships, and the introduction of Foundation Apprenticeships. The recommendations of the APPG look to ensure that the UK’s skills infrastructure is adaptable, works for employers and providers, and is well-suited to the rapidly changing labour market.
Andrew Pakes MP for Peterborough, Co-Chair of the APPG on Apprenticeships, said:
“Apprenticeships are at the very forefront of the Government’s growth strategy, as they are not just a tool for skills development, but are the cornerstone of social mobility and long-term prosperity. Skills England is now operational, and as a group we are looking forward to engaging with them further, as we move to the implementation phase from September. However, to ensure that apprenticeship programmes in the UK reach their full potential, more is still needed to be done. The recommendations from the APPG’s report are a step in the right direction towards this.”
Toby Perkins MP for Chesterfield, Co-Chair of the APPG on Apprenticeships added:
“These recommendations are the latest in a series from the Group, as we drive the UK’s towards a skills revolution. Building on what has been achieved so far around apprenticeships policy, the recommendations laid out in the report will help propel skills provision throughout the UK.Over the last year, we have been hugely encouraged by the level of positive engagement from government, civil servants, MPs and Peers, and apprenticeship providers. As we look ahead to next year, our focus will be on ensuring that the Government’s skills programme is implemented effectively, working on a cross-party basis to encourage lively, well-rounded debate on critical aspects of reform.”
Apprenticeships are at the very forefront of the Government’s growth strategy, as they are not just a tool for skills development, but are the cornerstone of social mobility and long-term prosperity. Skills England is now operational, and as a group we are looking forward to engaging with them further, as we move to the implementation phase from September. However, to ensure that apprenticeship programmes in the UK reach their full potential, more is still needed to be done. The recommendations from the APPG’s report are a step in the right direction towards this.
— Andrew Pakes MP for Peterborough, Co-Chair of the APPG on Apprenticeships
These recommendations are the latest in a series from the Group, as we drive the UK’s towards a skills revolution. Building on what has been achieved so far around apprenticeships policy, the recommendations laid out in the report will help propel skills provision throughout the UK.Over the last year, we have been hugely encouraged by the level of positive engagement from government, civil servants, MPs and Peers, and apprenticeship providers. As we look ahead to next year, our focus will be on ensuring that the Government’s skills programme is implemented effectively, working on a cross-party basis to encourage lively, well-rounded debate on critical aspects of reform.
— Toby Perkins MP for Chesterfield, Co-Chair of the APPG on Apprenticeships
