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Ministers say they are committed to raising apprenticeship standards
The Government has said it is committed to raising skills in the workplace through the Apprenticeship programme.
Ministers have welcomed a report by the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee which recommended a series of measures to improve both the numbers and quality of training of young people.
The Committee's report published in November 2012 said evidence suggests that the apprenticeship scheme continues to lack clarity and purpose in the longer term with employers, apprentices and other stakeholders remain confused about the overarching objective of the scheme.
MPs recommend that the Government defines an overarching strategy and clear purpose for the apprenticeship programme.
In a response published January 25, the Government said: "It is right that we continue to review and refresh our strategy priorities and approach to ensure that we are keeping pace with the changing needs of learners, employers and the economy, and continuing to maximise value for money."
Last year Ministers asked Doug Richard, who runs the School for Startups, to advise the them on how the Apprenticeship programme should evolve to meet future needs. The report was published on 27 November 2012.
Its key themes and recommendations include:
* Redefining apprenticeships - Apprenticeships should be targeted only at those who are new to a job or role that requires sustained and substantial training.
* Focusing with greater rigour on the outcome of an apprenticeship - what the apprentice can do when they complete their training - and freeing up the process by which they get there. Trusted, independent assessment is key.
* Recognised industry standards should form the basis of every apprenticeship. Employers and other organisations with relevant industry expertise should be invited to design and develop new apprenticeship qualifications for their sectors.
* All apprentices should reach a good level in English and maths before they can complete their apprenticeship.
* Government funding must create the right incentives for apprenticeship training. The purchasing power for investing in apprenticeship training should lie with the employer.
* Far greater diversity and innovation in training should be encouraged - with employers and government taking a more active role in safeguarding quality.
The Government said in its response it was still considering the Richard's Report and consult in the spring on its implementation.
Ministers also said they were considering supporting apprenticeships in individual sectors such as construction to to support wider strategy, improve quality through the National Apprenticeship Scheme and to take measures to strengthen the apprenticeship brand.
Action is also being taken to make apprenticeships more accessible to SMEs. This is being done through the City Deals where the NAS and the Skills Funding Agency are working with local bodies including LEPs and Chambers of Commerce and other employer representative bodies to boost awareness of Apprenticeship opportunities amongst SMEs.
However, the Government has rejected a recommendation that schools publish the total of pupils who take on apprentices, as university placements are registered.
Commenting on the Government's response, the Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, Adrian Bailey MP, said: "Apprenticeships can play a pivotal role in creating the skilled workforce necessary for economic growth. I welcome the Government's agreement with this main thrust of our report.
"Above all, I am pleased that the Government agrees that quality is the key for the apprenticeship programme going forward.
"In a number of areas the Government has acknowledged the need to review and refresh its strategy and priorities. Reviews may be welcome, action is needed.
"Apprenticeships are a viable and attractive path to a successful career and this should be reflected in the culture of our schools. I am therefore deeply disappointed that the Government has declined to require schools to publish 'apprenticeship entries' as well as the number of university places their students achieve, and call on it to reconsider the Committee's recommendation.
"The Government has also failed to take up our recommendation that a formal structure be set up to attach apprenticeships to public procurement contracts. We understand the need to be flexible, however, we fail to believe that a structure cannot be found that retains flexibility, whilst also encouraging apprenticeships. The Government has promised to investigate best practice in local government contracts and we will watch this space closely.
"During our inquiry, we were shocked to hear evidence of the Government wasting money on training schemes that it could not ensure provided value for money. In these straitened times, this is simply unacceptable. We are therefore dismayed that the Government has declined to act on our recommendation that firms be required to quantify the value of their 'in-kind' payments.
"We are pleased, however, that the Government has promised to consider whether it should use quality indicators when allocating money in the future. We recommended that they do so and repeat that recommendation now.
"High quality apprenticeships can provide the cornerstone of a thriving economy. We are pleased that the Government has recognised this in its response to our report. We encourage it to now take the necessary action to turn recognition into reality."
Source: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmbis/899/89904.htm
The Committee's report published in November 2012 said evidence suggests that the apprenticeship scheme continues to lack clarity and purpose in the longer term with employers, apprentices and other stakeholders remain confused about the overarching objective of the scheme.
MPs recommend that the Government defines an overarching strategy and clear purpose for the apprenticeship programme.
In a response published January 25, the Government said: "It is right that we continue to review and refresh our strategy priorities and approach to ensure that we are keeping pace with the changing needs of learners, employers and the economy, and continuing to maximise value for money."
Last year Ministers asked Doug Richard, who runs the School for Startups, to advise the them on how the Apprenticeship programme should evolve to meet future needs. The report was published on 27 November 2012.
Its key themes and recommendations include:
* Redefining apprenticeships - Apprenticeships should be targeted only at those who are new to a job or role that requires sustained and substantial training.
* Focusing with greater rigour on the outcome of an apprenticeship - what the apprentice can do when they complete their training - and freeing up the process by which they get there. Trusted, independent assessment is key.
* Recognised industry standards should form the basis of every apprenticeship. Employers and other organisations with relevant industry expertise should be invited to design and develop new apprenticeship qualifications for their sectors.
* All apprentices should reach a good level in English and maths before they can complete their apprenticeship.
* Government funding must create the right incentives for apprenticeship training. The purchasing power for investing in apprenticeship training should lie with the employer.
* Far greater diversity and innovation in training should be encouraged - with employers and government taking a more active role in safeguarding quality.
The Government said in its response it was still considering the Richard's Report and consult in the spring on its implementation.
Ministers also said they were considering supporting apprenticeships in individual sectors such as construction to to support wider strategy, improve quality through the National Apprenticeship Scheme and to take measures to strengthen the apprenticeship brand.
Action is also being taken to make apprenticeships more accessible to SMEs. This is being done through the City Deals where the NAS and the Skills Funding Agency are working with local bodies including LEPs and Chambers of Commerce and other employer representative bodies to boost awareness of Apprenticeship opportunities amongst SMEs.
However, the Government has rejected a recommendation that schools publish the total of pupils who take on apprentices, as university placements are registered.
Commenting on the Government's response, the Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, Adrian Bailey MP, said: "Apprenticeships can play a pivotal role in creating the skilled workforce necessary for economic growth. I welcome the Government's agreement with this main thrust of our report.
"Above all, I am pleased that the Government agrees that quality is the key for the apprenticeship programme going forward.
"In a number of areas the Government has acknowledged the need to review and refresh its strategy and priorities. Reviews may be welcome, action is needed.
"Apprenticeships are a viable and attractive path to a successful career and this should be reflected in the culture of our schools. I am therefore deeply disappointed that the Government has declined to require schools to publish 'apprenticeship entries' as well as the number of university places their students achieve, and call on it to reconsider the Committee's recommendation.
"The Government has also failed to take up our recommendation that a formal structure be set up to attach apprenticeships to public procurement contracts. We understand the need to be flexible, however, we fail to believe that a structure cannot be found that retains flexibility, whilst also encouraging apprenticeships. The Government has promised to investigate best practice in local government contracts and we will watch this space closely.
"During our inquiry, we were shocked to hear evidence of the Government wasting money on training schemes that it could not ensure provided value for money. In these straitened times, this is simply unacceptable. We are therefore dismayed that the Government has declined to act on our recommendation that firms be required to quantify the value of their 'in-kind' payments.
"We are pleased, however, that the Government has promised to consider whether it should use quality indicators when allocating money in the future. We recommended that they do so and repeat that recommendation now.
"High quality apprenticeships can provide the cornerstone of a thriving economy. We are pleased that the Government has recognised this in its response to our report. We encourage it to now take the necessary action to turn recognition into reality."
Source: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmbis/899/89904.htm
