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A SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY NATIONAL APPRENTICE WEEK 2015 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SUPPLEMENT 2 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 CELEBRATING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 600 events across the country, including With all the major parties promising huge an apprenticeship Dragons’ Den-style apprenticeship start number increases, challenge at Hertford Regional College and a we decided to dedicate page three of this competition among apprentices from Jamie supplement to looking at how those targets Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, in London, to can be met. prepare and sell food at nearby Borough Pages four and five feature an interview Market. with entrepreneur Jason Holt reflecting on It will also provide an opportunity to how recommendations from his 2012 review reflect on development over the past year, ‘Making apprentices more accessible to including the creation of more than 70 new small and medium-sized enterprises’ have employer-led Trailblazer apprenticeships. been implemented. The sector also welcomed the Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary appointment of a new Skills Minister, Nick Chuka Umunna, Liberal Democrat Dr Cable @paulofford Boles, in July. and Conservative Business, Enterprise and The change at the top apparently Energy Minister Matthew Hancock set out [email protected] prompted a change of heart over their stalls for future apprenticeship policy I t is more important than ever, in a apprenticeship reform, with the government on pages six and seven. general election year, to shine a light on shelving plans to route funding through Detailed statistical breakdowns of starts all the good work that is being done on employers in January. and success rates by Lsect expert Nick apprenticeships. There has been no let-up in the drive Linford follow on pages 10 and 11, then That has of course always been the to increase participation, although page 12 features an article reflecting on main aim of National Apprenticeship government claims to have overseen the two the relationship between local enterprise IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Week (NAW) and providers, employers millionth apprentice start should be met partnerships and apprenticeship and learners gearing up for this year’s with caution. programmes by chair of South East celebration of ‘earning and learning’ will Business Secretary Vince Cable Midlands Lep Ann Limb. have been boosted by moves by all the major announced the milestone figure on We looked at weird and wonderful parties to stress their commitment to the December 8, but told FE Week a week later apprenticeships now available on page 13 programme. that not all the vaunted starts equated to and you will find a NAW event guide on The eighth NAW will feature more than completions. pages 14 and 15. This is despite the fact that Advertorial apprenticeships are the hot topic of the pre- david grailey election campaigns, with the government investing more money into apprenticeships and an ever-increasing emphasis on FE Week is a newspaper dedicated practical and vocationally-led courses. reporting on news, analysis, jobs and NCFE chief executive It’s also despite an increase in positive fun in the further education sector. sentiment towards apprenticeships, with 94 per cent of parents saying they would Editor: Chris Henwood be happy if their child chose to do an Head designer: Nicky Phillips The future of apprenticeships in England apprenticeship. Designer: Rob Galt Not all young people are suited to the Sub editor: Paul Offord typical academic route and many learn Reporters: Freddie Whittaker Apprenticeships have been around always have the right advice on what their more effectively through practical learning Rebecca Cooney for well over a century and yet they full range of options are when they leave in a hands-on environment. Photographer: Ellis O’Brien remain a hot topic of conversation, school. When it comes to education, one size Financials: Helen Neilly especially of late with the introduction of Recently, Ofsted FE and skills director doesn’t fit all and at NCFE we feel it’s Administration: Frances Ogefere-Dell Trailblazers and the build up to the 2015 Lorna Fitzjohn spoke out about young important to ensure that young people are general election. people not being well advised on the given the opportunity to carefully choose They may have gone through many benefits of apprenticeships when at school, the right career path for them having Contributors: Ann Limb changes over the last 100 years (from resulting in the number of apprenticeship considered all options. dressmaking, drapery and carpentry/ starts among young people ‘flatlining’. NCFE offers a range of full and part Managing director: Shane Mann joinery to a much wider range of apprenticeships at intermediate and industries), but the programme’s longevity An apprenticeship advanced level in sector areas including If you are interested in placing a product demonstrates its ongoing value. health, public services and care, retail and or job advert contact can offer up a real future They’re a fantastic way to learn a skill, commercial enterprise, leisure, travel and gain work experience and reach the end tourism, business, administration and law, E: [email protected] goal of getting into employment. It’s been said that careers advice mainly education and training. T: 020 8123 4778 Best of all, an apprenticeship can offer focuses on A-levels as the preferred option We also offer qualifications that help up a real future — after finishing, the for teenagers due to a lack of understanding with progression into apprenticeships majority of apprentices (85 per cent) will in schools about work-based training. in terms of building confidence and stay in employment in comparison to the New research from NCFE can back this transferable skills. growing number of graduates who find up, showing that 40 per cent people feel that themselves unemployed after completing learners looking to do an apprenticeship You can visit www.ncfe.org.uk for more their university course. aren’t given enough support. The report information and use our qualification finder With these benefits in mind, you’d think also found that almost half (43 per cent) of to find the apprenticeship qualifications that apprenticeships would be the first choice respondents said that there weren’t enough meet your learners’ needs. for more young people, yet they don’t opportunities for apprenticeships. @ncfe @FEWeek www.feweek.co.uk 3 Staying on target in numbers game The three major parties have committed to simplify the system for smaller to huge increases in apprenticeship employers. numbers if their parties win the next “If we are to increase employer election. Reporter Paul Offord looks at involvement in apprenticeships, how this could be achieved. then giving employers real purchasing power by directing Apprenticeships have taken centre funding to them is crucial. stage in the build-up to the general “The Trailblazer scheme is a election on May 7, but hitting good example of how businesses targets set by the main parties will be no are helping to shape easy task. apprenticeships.” Prime Minister David Cameron has More than 400 employers have announced plans to push apprenticeship been involved with the development starts up to the 3m mark by 2020. of 73 new apprenticeships that Meanwhile, Labour leader Ed Miliband have now gained government has pledged to add up to 80,000 more approval through the Trailbalzer apprenticeship starts a year and Liberal scheme, with more than 100 more in Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable development. has committed to doubling the number of Mr Boles said: “We are working firms offering apprentices by 2020. AoC president and Exeter College principal Richard Atkins (fifth from left) with apprentices awarded at with employer organisations and But the number of all-age apprenticeship his college’s Skills Awards in November last year others to develop a funding model starts for 2013/14 actually fell 69,800 from that is simple, transparent and easy the previous year to 440,400, so a lot of work careers advice. more incentives for employers to take on for employers to use.” clearly needs to be done to convince both But he said: “To encourage schools and apprentices such as tax breaks”. A Department for Education learners and employers of their merits. colleges to work together, ASCL with other Rob Wall, head of education and skills at spokesperson said it announced the Head of post-16 development at the professional associations, has developed the Confederation of British Industry, said: creation of a new employer-back careers Universities and Colleges Admissions a ‘Foundation Code’ that sets out key “While the reforms are heading in the right and enterprise company in December to Service (UCas) Gina Bradbury thinks behaviours schools and colleges need to direction, there is still more to be done improve careers advice in schools. UCas Progress will play an increasingly adopt to encourage more students onto important role with directing students on to traineeships and apprenticeships.” ‘Reform traineeship to apprenticeships. Dr Rona Mackenzie, principal of Lincoln She said 9,000 applications for University Technical College (UTC), improve flow of potential learners’ apprenticeships had already been lodged said: “We employ independent careers through the internet-based service, which advisers who link with our industrial went live nationwide in September and partner employers to advise students on Reform of the government’s flagship scheme since its launch in January 2014, allows students to research and apply for apprenticehips, UTCs are well placed to do traineeship scheme could channel more opposed narrowing the goal of traineeships. vocational or academic post-16 courses. this because of their specialist nature. young people onto apprenticeships, sector She said BT’s programme aimed “to “More and more schools and colleges “It’s much harder for ordinary state leaders have claimed. prepare our trainees to make confident are using the apply service and, as a schools that have to advise on a much wider Traineeships, which aim to get 16 to choices about what to do next”. trusted source of impartial guidance on variety of vocational training.” 24-year-olds “work ready” by combining “This might be a job, an apprenticeship, or careers and education, UCas is in a really The government will also need to work experience with maths, English and it could be more training or education. All of strong position to explain to young people, significantly increase the number of employability training, had a slow start in the these are good outcomes,” she said. parents, teachers and advisers what employers prepared to hire apprentices. first academic year following their launch in Mr Segal agreed that apprenticeship apprenticeships are all about,” she said. Former Dragons’ Den investor May 2013. progression should not “be the only Richard Atkins, Association of Colleges Doug Richard recommended making The number of traineeship starts for the successful outcome from participating in a (AoC) president and principal of Exeter apprenticeships more employer-led, to whole of 2013/14 was just 10,400 — although traineeship”. College, said better schools careers advice ensure they are tailored for the needs and there were subsequently 5,000 starts in the But he thought traineeship starts could be would be needed on apprenticeships. therefore appeal more to businesses, in his first quarter of 2014/15 (August to October) increased by opening up the scheme to more He said: “The situation needs to improve Review of Apprentices report in November compared to 3,300 in the first two quarters of providers, who could in turn bring more as we find every year in colleges that 2012. 2013/14. employers on board. young people lack knowledge about what But resulting government plans to route The AoC has made reform of traineeships, Current restrictions limit the delivery apprenticeships offer.” funding through employers, either through so they would be specifically geared of traineeships to mainly grade one and Stewart Segal, Association of the PAYE system or a credit account, were at preparing 16 and 17-year-olds for two providers, but, he said: “We need to Employment and Learning Providers shelved in January after Skills Minister apprenticeships, one of its general election extend the programme to all providers who chief executive, said independent learning Nick Boles admitted “more homework” manifesto pledges. have evidence they can deliver high quality providers could “be the link between was needed to address concerns about Mr Atkins said they were “too general in programmes.” schools and employers. Providers can unwanted bureaucracy it could cause their aims at the moment”. Mr Atkins said: use their links to local employers small businesses. But he said: “They could play an “To not allow grade and knowledge of the local labour Mr Atkins said important role in preparing more people three providers to market to support schools”. he would still for apprenticeships if they evolved into a run traineeships Brian Lightman, general like to see the pre-apprenticeship programme with more seems harsh on secretary of the Association “creation of emphasis on good quality work experience. he people living in of School and College Leaders You wouldn’t have to change the name.” areas where there (ASCL), warned schools were But Deborah Lee (pictured right), chief may only be “significantly under learning officer for BT which has taken on grade three resourced” for almost 500 young people on its traineeship providers.” apprenticeship Brian Lightman and Stewart Segal 4 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 No ‘holting’ SME apprenticeship plans Almost three years after Jason Holt further consultation after neither proposed published his review entitled funding method, funding through the ‘Making apprenticeships more PAYE system or an employer account, won accessible to small and medium-sized sector support. enterprises’, the chief executive of Holts “I think Nick Boles made the right Gems seemed pleased with the progress decision to pause rather than making the that has been made. wrong decision,” said Mr Holt. The 42-page report made 15 “But he needs to make a decision quickly recommendations in total, which it now as to what he plans to do.” broke down into three main categories — Although he struggled to pick out Communication: raising awareness of the his own preferred funding method, the benefits of apprenticeships, Empowerment: important thing for him and for SME SMEs to get the best from their training engagement, he said, was “simplicity”. providers and Simplification: ownership “Inevitably taking on an apprentice is and responsibility for the apprenticeships going to involve more action than just programme and removing barriers. offering a job to a young person,” he said. “I would say the review came at the right “But whatever that step is, it has to be so time,” he said. blindingly easy that it’s worth it. “There are lots of encouraging signs “Because I’m not talking about the — the spotlight is much more on the SME employer that has employed an apprentice than ever before and I’m hearing a lot more before — they will go through a degree of people talking about apprenticeships and pain because they have seen and recognise asking about them.” the value. As we head into the election, the three “It’s those initial, new entrants that I’m major parties are competing to over how talking about — so that’s the big game.” many apprenticeships they can offer. Some of his recommendations haven’t However, Mr Holt was cautious about a come to fruition — his suggestion that an focus on numbers. online apprentice community leading to “There is still some way to go before possible Royal Society of Apprenticeships Jason Holt there is a really clear strategy for SME was never picked up by government. engagement,” he said. And although it is recommended between apprentices” through social media and micro-businesses, these firms must “I think inevitably there is going to be providers tell employers how much their campaigns. have the support they need to navigate the an interruption now with the election but apprentice training is costing, as Mr Holt She added a requirement for providers to system and reap the benefits of taking on what I am trying to encourage Nick Boles suggested, he said it often wasn’t being ensure they made employers aware of the apprentice,” he said. and the government to do is to constantly done. government’s financial contribution had “We have been working with Jason think SME — it’s very tempting to look at Mr Holt said: “As part of the new been introduced following the Holt Review. Holt since the publication of his review, numbers. system you will see what the government On SMEs and apprenticeships in general, and progress has been made in engaging “If it’s a numbers game, it’s very easy to pays — but my regret is we didn’t make Mr Holt added: “We’ve still very much talked small businesses with the apprenticeships cover that with large businesses which can that happen first, because we might be about large business, and I think we might system.” take on more apprentices,” he said. in a different place from a knowledge have made more progress on SMEs with a The Confederation of British Industry had “But working for an SME is very point of view now in terms of how people more focused system plan, but I am forgiving a similar view to Mr Holt’s assessment of the different to large business — small think about the proposed new funding of it because frankly there has been a lot of current situation for SMEs, three years on businesses can offer so much more mechanism.” change. And I think we are getting back on from his report. diversity and flexibility in the role.” A spokesperson for the Department track.” “While some progress has been made However much the landscape has of Business, Innovation and Skills said The Federation of Small Business chair to date, there is plenty more to be done to shifted since the Holt review, it’s about although it was for employers to decide John Allan agreed with Mr Holt that reduce bureaucracy for smaller firms which to face a much bigger upheaval with the if a society of apprentices would be apprenticeships had to be simple. have less time and fewer resources,” a funding reforms, currently halted for “useful” it was “promoting engagement “To make the system appeal to more small spokesperson said. RECENT HISTORY OF APPRENTICESHIP PROPOSALS AND REFORMS 2014 (August) — Guidelines for 51 new apprenticeships 2012 (May) — Jason Holt published his 2013 (March) — The government published its initial were published through the review, ‘Making apprenticeships more response to Mr Richard’s review. It recommended government’s Trailblazer scheme, accessible to small and medium-sized employers putting recognised industry standards at as developed by more than 400 enterprises’ (see above) the heart of every apprenticeship employers in 37 sectors 2012 (November) — Doug Richard 2013 (July) — The Department for recommended making apprenticeships Business, Innovation and Skills published more employer-orientated in his Review its apprenticeship funding reform plans, of Apprentices report. It called for including a proposal to route funding via employers to pay providers directly for employers through PAYE that provoked a apprenticeship training mixed reaction from business leaders @ncfe @FEWeek www.feweek.co.uk 5 No ‘holting’ SME apprenticeship plans HOLT’S 15 APPRENTICESHIP RECOMMENDATIONS (AND HIS THREE ‘KEY’ AREAS) COMMUNICATION JH: I think this will take two or three 1 National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to take lead on all apprenticeship related years to really flourish communication On the back of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and with the 2 A campaign for professionals such as lawyers and accountants to become support of NAS we want apprentice apprenticeships ambassadors makers to champion apprenticeships, create peer-to-peer networks and spread 3 Spread best practice examples of the word to their communities and apprenticeship promotion by schools sectors. It’s starting to happen and there are thousands of businesses that want to know how to engage 4 Promote greater awareness of apprenticeships in young people And what I am hoping will happen is there’ll be an apprentice network for each region and there’ll be a kudos to being an 5 Create an online apprentice community which could become a (Royal) Society of apprentice maker Apprentices EMPOWERMENT 6 Allow SMEs to design develop their own training provision or work with providers JH: We’ve been talking more about the customer journey and the navigation and it’s great this still exists and is 7 An online tool to enable employers to being developed further The Association of Employment and find provision with feedback from other Learning Providers chief executive Stewart employers’ experiences of each provider The new apprenticeships website that’s Segal said: “We welcomed Jason Holt’s being set up at the moment is allowing recommendations and are pleased many of 8 Funding to reflect higher cost for training you to actually look at the Ofsted rating of them have been taken forward. providers of SME apprentices providers. The next phase of development “It is important the current reform is for this to be employer responsive, in process… does not impose barriers on greater engagement by smaller businesses. real time, which is what I think needs to 9 Providers to set out funding contributed Such an outcome would undo much of the towards apprenticeship training costs happen, because Ofsted obviously can positives derived from Jason’s work.” for employers in a simple, consistent and be quite dated in terms of its relevance transparent way Association of Colleges senior skills policy to that employer. It’s easier to navigate manager Teresa Frith said the Government had made “good progress” implementing Mr 10 A Provider Charter relating to – so that’s been good, but it will go even apprenticeship training provision to SMEs Holt’s recommendations. further “However, there is still more to be done to encourage small and medium-sized SIMPLIFICATION businesses to get involved in offering apprenticeships,” she said. 11 Ensure roles and responsibilities of Government departments and agencies are JH: In terms of the new Provider clear, coherent and optimal Charter, the Minister, John Hayes, did not agree to a charter in his response 12 A way for employers to place a temporary advert for an apprenticeship vacancy before However, with AELP and AOC we did the official advert is approved by NAS agree the wording to a provider promise. This articulated what a provider would endeavour to do which included the 13 Bridge gaps between schools and apprenticeships standard of service and responsiveness it would give employers, especially small ones. The Richard reforms took the issue 2015 (January) — The 14 A network of SMEs who can mentor SME of provider service standards as one of its government conceded that businesses new to apprenticeships major tenets more research was needed on its proposals to route apprenticeship funding via 15 Government to explore incentivisation employers either through PAYE options for employers or a credit account 6 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 Politicians lay out picture of apprenticeships if election victory comes their way Matthew Chuka Umunna hancock Shadow Business Secretary Business, Enterprise & Energy Minister Every year, National Apprenticeship Week provides use the billions of pounds which government already a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the life- spends on procurement to create more high-quality When we first came to government in 2010 the changing opportunities offered by the programme apprenticeship opportunities, requiring all suppliers apprenticeship system was in a mess. and to shine a spotlight on learners’ work. getting major public contracts to offer apprenticeships. Some apprenticeship placements lasted We must never lose sight of the huge difference and This approach is backed up by the cross-party BIS less than half a year. Others offered next to nothing in positive contribution high-quality technical qualifications select committee which has estimated that at least one proper on-the-job training. make for individuals, families, businesses and society. new apprenticeship could be created for every £1m spent So-called ‘programme-led’ schemes had no That’s why my Labour colleagues and I will be banging programme at all, isolating apprentices from the the drum for apprenticeships and apprentices right across workplace and their employer. We will work the country and why I am greatly looking forward to Only 50 per cent of our apprentices reported speaking at FE Week’s Annual Apprenticeship Conference receiving the vital in-house training they needed to towards a system during National Apprenticeship Week. succeed. Under this government, apprenticeship quality has been where all apprenticeships undermined and the historic and trusted apprenticeship In the next brand is at risk of being tarnished as new concerns on are at level three and quality and status of qualifications have emerged. Parliament the We’ve seen in-work training for existing employees above, last at least rebadged under the apprenticeship label on a colossal Conservatives commit scale. two years and are focused Almost four-in-ten employers are unaware that to delivering 3m more the in-work training they provide is described as on new entrants ‘apprenticeships’ by ministers. high quality employer-led One-in-five apprentices is receiving no formal training, and a staggering 93 per cent of apprenticeships for over apprenticeships, so that 25s — which we’ve seen more than double as a proportion of all apprenticeships under this government — are being on procurement. Sadly, the government has blocked the more people than ever undertaken by existing employees. progress of two private member’s bills which would have At the same time, the proportion of apprenticeship legislated to put in place our plans. before have a chance to starts by young people is down by almost a quarter under So that young people and employers have the skills they this government, and the number of young people starting need, we would also ensure all young people study English equip themselves with apprenticeships has fallen in the last year. and maths to the age of 18. The number of over 60s starting an apprenticeship has We want FE lecturers teaching young people to have the skills they need to increased by 520 per cent since 2010 — 25 times more than teaching qualifications, to be qualified in maths and the figure for the under 25s, while the vast majority of English, and to spend time in industry regularly to refresh succeed apprenticeship starts have been at lower levels — just 2 their skills. per cent have been at level four or above. We will introduce a new tech bacc to drive up the And to many apprentices, particularly young people, are quality of technical education in schools and colleges, not receiving the appropriate minimum wage. with new institutes of technical education to underpin Labour let our apprentices down. Something had to So where this government has failed, the next Labour excellence at the best FE institutions. change. government will act. We will work towards a system We would make it easier for Catapult Centres — We set out a clear plan to drive up the quality of where all apprenticeships are at level three and above, last initiated by the last Labour government to bring together apprenticeships and deliver meaningful, respected at least two years and are focused on new entrants. scientists and engineers to develop new technologies into training for all who wanted it. Employers in all sectors and of all sizes constantly successful business propositions — to take on apprentices We put apprenticeships at the forefront of our raise with me the need for the system to be better aligned and drive the creation of high-quality technical economic plan. And it paid off. to their needs. That’s why Labour will put employers in opportunities. Since 2010 we’ve created 2.1m new apprenticeships, the driving seat, giving employers through sector bodies And we will work with leading companies and focusing on the quality of every single one of them. a greater role and helping them boost apprenticeships universities to develop new Technical Degrees teaching We wanted to ensure every young person had the within supply chains. And we will give city and county the high-level skills which our economy needs. right skills to equip them for the workforce and we regions the powers and budgets they need, including over This will enable us to tackle our skills gaps and wanted apprenticeships to be in direct competition adult skills based on local commissioning plans. ultimately increase the UK’s productivity. That is the with universities for the most ambitious, highly To boost apprenticeship numbers, we would put to prize and we must grab it. motivated young people. @ncfe @FEWeek www.feweek.co.uk 7 Politicians lay out picture of apprenticeships if election victory comes their way Matthew Vince Cable hancock Business Secretary Business, Enterprise & Energy Minister My goal is for any young person to have two train. There would be a small levy on companies (except We put measures in place to ensure every student equally attractive routes to a rewarding micro-companies) that would be fully ring-fenced and given leaves school with good GCSEs in maths and English. career — by going to university or doing an back to companies that train — in the form of vouchers so We want every qualification to be worthwhile apprenticeship up to and including degree level training. those companies can choose their own preferred accredited and relevant to the workplace which is why we are During the last five years we have implemented apprenticeship arrangements. transforming the curriculum. reforms that have opened up the range and quality of To secure the high level vocational skills that businesses For example, the new maths GCSE includes apprenticeships and challenged the perception that need, we also propose to develop specialist National questions on financial literacy, such as calculating the a vocational education was inferior to a traditional Colleges as centres of expertise, where there is demand and interest on a loan not just abstract algebra. university one. an identified need, and these would represent a modern We’ve made sure every apprenticeship is a real paid As a result of conscious decisions I made as Secretary version of polytechnics. Those could typically involve job with an employer and lasting at least 12 months. of State earlier in the Parliament, we have been able to partnerships with existing FE colleges. If you have high expectations of people then I have double the number of apprenticeships over the last five no doubt that they will rise to the challenge. years of coalition government and unique quality at a time We’ve put employer in the driving seat, designing of austerity. The Liberal apprenticeships to suit them, not us in Whitehall. Businesses, consumers and young people are Apprentices can rise to meet the challenges of their now recognising the significant opportunities that employers and gain real-life skills for the job. apprenticeships can offer. It was one of my proudest Democrats would That’s why we’ve asked employers — market moments as Business Secretary when, in December last leaders in sectors from finance to food, retail to steel year, we celebrated the two millionth apprenticeship — commit to doubling the — to literally rewrite the apprenticeship rulebook. 16-year-old Paige, who marked this milestone and whom I They’re condensing hundreds of pages of complex, met in Oxford, is being trained to design and manufacture messy frameworks to a two-page description of the advanced instruments for scientific research, as part of her number of businesses skills and behaviour employees should demonstrate higher apprenticeship. in a particular industry and how they should be She now has the opportunity to progress to a degree level offering apprentices assessed. qualification while learning on the job. Shorter, clearer, better standards written by For me, the apprentice agenda is about quality as much employers for employers. as quantity. Employers have taken the lead in setting We believe in them and we believe in young people. simpler, but more rigorous standards for apprenticeships Liberal Democrats in the next government seek to But we don’t want to stop there. in their own sectors. There are now clear expectations ensure these opportunities are open to all, working In the next Parliament the Conservatives commit for apprentices embarking on careers as airplane fitters, with the Apprenticeship Advisory Group to increase to delivering 3m more high quality employer-led electricians, paralegals, butchers, dental technicians and the numbers coming from BAME backgrounds, ensure apprenticeships, so that more people than ever before in more than 70 other fields — with demanding tests and gender balance across industry sectors, and encourage have a chance to equip themselves with the skills they tough grading along the way. under-represented groups to apply. We will also improve need to succeed. I want more companies to derive the benefits from provision of independent careers information, advice and Apprenticeships have been at the heart of our skills offering high-quality training of this kind; 96 per cent guidance for all, through the National Careers Service. revolution and they will be at the heart of the next of employers who’ve hired an apprentice believe their Apprentices make a vital contribution to the economy, government, if we are re-elected in May. business has profited. This is just as true of small family boost business productivity and give people the skills they I know just how valuable apprenticeships are. firms as it is of Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus or British need to get on in the world of work. There is objective I was proud to hire a brilliant apprentice who Telecom. We are simplifying apprenticeship funding to analysis which supports that apprenticeships typically thrived in Parliamentary office, and is now standing bring more small and medium-sized companies on board. yield £18 of benefit for every £1 spent; benefit to the as a parliamentary candidate for election in May. In the next parliament the Liberal Democrats would apprentices, the company which invests in apprenticeships It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch her grow commit to doubling the number of businesses offering and the wider economy. professionally and to play a small part in that. apprentices, in part by extending them to new sectors As we celebrate National Apprenticeships Week 2015, The Conservatives in government have thrown our of our economy, like the creative and digital industries. I am enormously proud of the opportunities Liberal weight behind apprentices and I’m proud of all we This is not simply a numbers game; it’s important that Democrats in government have created for people to gain have achieved: there really has never been a better the apprenticeships we are creating teach valuable skills the skills to get ahead. From accountancy to pharmacy, time to start an apprenticeship. and expertise. I would like to see even more of degree- fashion design to software design, care work to police But we know there’s more to do and we would equivalent apprenticeships and more options within small work, we’ve supported thousands of businesses, big and go even further and run even faster to make sure and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). small, to grow and compete by developing apprenticeship that an apprenticeship is on par with a university To help support this expansion the Liberal Democrats training. I hope to continue this work with my Liberal degree. would change the funding mechanism to reward firms that Democrat colleagues as part of the next government. great futures start here. NCFE Apprenticeships NCFE is top of the class when it comes to supporting educators and offering clear, skills based progression for learners. Our range of high quality Apprenticeships provide you with everything you’ll need to help your learners develop the essential skills and experience to get on in the workplace. What’s more, with both full and part Apprenticeships available across a variety of sectors, you’ll be sure to find a programme that’s ideal for your learners. Delivering more. We want to help maximise your Apprenticeship delivery. That’s why we provide award winning customer service which aims to save you time and money, and get the best results for your learners. Don’t just take our word for it; we’re the only awarding organisation to feature in the Top 50 Companies for Customer Service. Put us to the test, we offer: • 1 day turnaround on certificates, providing • a host of FREE learning resources designed to you with immediate evidence for funding help enhance your Apprenticeship delivery claims • FREE access to ForSkills’ initial assessment and • 6 day turnaround on Functional Skills results diagnostic tool. Find out what NCFE Apprenticeships can do for your learners. Call 0191 239 8000 Email [email protected] Visit ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships 04722 AB Apprenticeship DPS 350x530.indd 1 05/03/2015 13:00 great futures start here. NCFE Apprenticeships NCFE is top of the class when it comes to supporting educators and offering clear, skills based progression for learners. Our range of high quality Apprenticeships provide you with everything you’ll need to help your learners develop the essential skills and experience to get on in the workplace. What’s more, with both full and part Apprenticeships available across a variety of sectors, you’ll be sure to find a programme that’s ideal for your learners. Delivering more. We want to help maximise your Apprenticeship delivery. That’s why we provide award winning customer service which aims to save you time and money, and get the best results for your learners. Don’t just take our word for it; we’re the only awarding organisation to feature in the Top 50 Companies for Customer Service. Put us to the test, we offer: • 1 day turnaround on certificates, providing • a host of FREE learning resources designed to you with immediate evidence for funding help enhance your Apprenticeship delivery claims • FREE access to ForSkills’ initial assessment and • 6 day turnaround on Functional Skills results diagnostic tool. Find out what NCFE Apprenticeships can do for your learners. Call 0191 239 8000 Email [email protected] Visit ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships 04722 AB Apprenticeship DPS 350x530.indd 1 05/03/2015 13:00 10 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 stats Nick Linford STATS AUTHOR OF THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO FUNDING APPRENTICESHIPS SUCCESS RATES BY LEVEL SUCCESS RATES BY AGE 80.0% 80.0% 75.0% 75.0% 70.0% 70.0% 65.0% 65.0% 60.0% 60.0% Level 2 Level 3 Level 4+ Total Under 19 19-24 25+ Total YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 Level 2 73% 72% 69% -3% Under 19 73% 72% 71% -1% Level 3 77% 73% 69% -4% 19-24 76% 73% 70% -3% Level 4+ 73% 70% 71% -1% 25+ 73% 73% 67% -6% Total 74% 72% 69% -3% Total 74% 72% 69% -3% NON- ACHIEVEMENTS BY LEVEL NON-ACHIEVEMENTS BY AGE 140,000 140,000 120,000 120,000 100,000 100,000 80,000 80,000 60,000 60,000 40,000 40,000 20,000 20,000 0 0 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4+ Total Under 19 19-24 25+ Total YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 Level 2 73% 72% 69% -3% Under 19 73% 72% 71% -1% Level 3 77% 73% 69% -4% 19-24 76% 73% 70% -3% Level 4+ 73% 70% 71% -1% 25+ 73% 73% 67% -6% Total 74% 72% 69% -3% Total 74% 72% 69% -3%

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apprenticeships are the hot topic of the pre- election campaigns Staying on target in numbers game. Reform of the .. we want apprentice makers to champion apprenticeships, spends on procurement to create more high-quality.
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A SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY NATIONAL APPRENTICE WEEK 2015 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SUPPLEMENT 2 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 CELEBRATING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 600 events across the country, including With all the major parties promising huge an apprenticeship Dragons’ Den-style apprenticeship start number increases, challenge at Hertford Regional College and a we decided to dedicate page three of this competition among apprentices from Jamie supplement to looking at how those targets Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, in London, to can be met. prepare and sell food at nearby Borough Pages four and five feature an interview Market. with entrepreneur Jason Holt reflecting on It will also provide an opportunity to how recommendations from his 2012 review reflect on development over the past year, ‘Making apprentices more accessible to including the creation of more than 70 new small and medium-sized enterprises’ have employer-led Trailblazer apprenticeships. been implemented. The sector also welcomed the Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary appointment of a new Skills Minister, Nick Chuka Umunna, Liberal Democrat Dr Cable @paulofford Boles, in July. and Conservative Business, Enterprise and The change at the top apparently Energy Minister Matthew Hancock set out [email protected] prompted a change of heart over their stalls for future apprenticeship policy I t is more important than ever, in a apprenticeship reform, with the government on pages six and seven. general election year, to shine a light on shelving plans to route funding through Detailed statistical breakdowns of starts all the good work that is being done on employers in January. and success rates by Lsect expert Nick apprenticeships. There has been no let-up in the drive Linford follow on pages 10 and 11, then That has of course always been the to increase participation, although page 12 features an article reflecting on main aim of National Apprenticeship government claims to have overseen the two the relationship between local enterprise IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Week (NAW) and providers, employers millionth apprentice start should be met partnerships and apprenticeship and learners gearing up for this year’s with caution. programmes by chair of South East celebration of ‘earning and learning’ will Business Secretary Vince Cable Midlands Lep Ann Limb. have been boosted by moves by all the major announced the milestone figure on We looked at weird and wonderful parties to stress their commitment to the December 8, but told FE Week a week later apprenticeships now available on page 13 programme. that not all the vaunted starts equated to and you will find a NAW event guide on The eighth NAW will feature more than completions. pages 14 and 15. This is despite the fact that Advertorial apprenticeships are the hot topic of the pre- david grailey election campaigns, with the government investing more money into apprenticeships and an ever-increasing emphasis on FE Week is a newspaper dedicated practical and vocationally-led courses. reporting on news, analysis, jobs and NCFE chief executive It’s also despite an increase in positive fun in the further education sector. sentiment towards apprenticeships, with 94 per cent of parents saying they would Editor: Chris Henwood be happy if their child chose to do an Head designer: Nicky Phillips The future of apprenticeships in England apprenticeship. Designer: Rob Galt Not all young people are suited to the Sub editor: Paul Offord typical academic route and many learn Reporters: Freddie Whittaker Apprenticeships have been around always have the right advice on what their more effectively through practical learning Rebecca Cooney for well over a century and yet they full range of options are when they leave in a hands-on environment. Photographer: Ellis O’Brien remain a hot topic of conversation, school. When it comes to education, one size Financials: Helen Neilly especially of late with the introduction of Recently, Ofsted FE and skills director doesn’t fit all and at NCFE we feel it’s Administration: Frances Ogefere-Dell Trailblazers and the build up to the 2015 Lorna Fitzjohn spoke out about young important to ensure that young people are general election. people not being well advised on the given the opportunity to carefully choose They may have gone through many benefits of apprenticeships when at school, the right career path for them having Contributors: Ann Limb changes over the last 100 years (from resulting in the number of apprenticeship considered all options. dressmaking, drapery and carpentry/ starts among young people ‘flatlining’. NCFE offers a range of full and part Managing director: Shane Mann joinery to a much wider range of apprenticeships at intermediate and industries), but the programme’s longevity An apprenticeship advanced level in sector areas including If you are interested in placing a product demonstrates its ongoing value. health, public services and care, retail and or job advert contact can offer up a real future They’re a fantastic way to learn a skill, commercial enterprise, leisure, travel and gain work experience and reach the end tourism, business, administration and law, E: [email protected] goal of getting into employment. It’s been said that careers advice mainly education and training. T: 020 8123 4778 Best of all, an apprenticeship can offer focuses on A-levels as the preferred option We also offer qualifications that help up a real future — after finishing, the for teenagers due to a lack of understanding with progression into apprenticeships majority of apprentices (85 per cent) will in schools about work-based training. in terms of building confidence and stay in employment in comparison to the New research from NCFE can back this transferable skills. growing number of graduates who find up, showing that 40 per cent people feel that themselves unemployed after completing learners looking to do an apprenticeship You can visit www.ncfe.org.uk for more their university course. aren’t given enough support. The report information and use our qualification finder With these benefits in mind, you’d think also found that almost half (43 per cent) of to find the apprenticeship qualifications that apprenticeships would be the first choice respondents said that there weren’t enough meet your learners’ needs. for more young people, yet they don’t opportunities for apprenticeships. @ncfe @FEWeek www.feweek.co.uk 3 Staying on target in numbers game The three major parties have committed to simplify the system for smaller to huge increases in apprenticeship employers. numbers if their parties win the next “If we are to increase employer election. Reporter Paul Offord looks at involvement in apprenticeships, how this could be achieved. then giving employers real purchasing power by directing Apprenticeships have taken centre funding to them is crucial. stage in the build-up to the general “The Trailblazer scheme is a election on May 7, but hitting good example of how businesses targets set by the main parties will be no are helping to shape easy task. apprenticeships.” Prime Minister David Cameron has More than 400 employers have announced plans to push apprenticeship been involved with the development starts up to the 3m mark by 2020. of 73 new apprenticeships that Meanwhile, Labour leader Ed Miliband have now gained government has pledged to add up to 80,000 more approval through the Trailbalzer apprenticeship starts a year and Liberal scheme, with more than 100 more in Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable development. has committed to doubling the number of Mr Boles said: “We are working firms offering apprentices by 2020. AoC president and Exeter College principal Richard Atkins (fifth from left) with apprentices awarded at with employer organisations and But the number of all-age apprenticeship his college’s Skills Awards in November last year others to develop a funding model starts for 2013/14 actually fell 69,800 from that is simple, transparent and easy the previous year to 440,400, so a lot of work careers advice. more incentives for employers to take on for employers to use.” clearly needs to be done to convince both But he said: “To encourage schools and apprentices such as tax breaks”. A Department for Education learners and employers of their merits. colleges to work together, ASCL with other Rob Wall, head of education and skills at spokesperson said it announced the Head of post-16 development at the professional associations, has developed the Confederation of British Industry, said: creation of a new employer-back careers Universities and Colleges Admissions a ‘Foundation Code’ that sets out key “While the reforms are heading in the right and enterprise company in December to Service (UCas) Gina Bradbury thinks behaviours schools and colleges need to direction, there is still more to be done improve careers advice in schools. UCas Progress will play an increasingly adopt to encourage more students onto important role with directing students on to traineeships and apprenticeships.” ‘Reform traineeship to apprenticeships. Dr Rona Mackenzie, principal of Lincoln She said 9,000 applications for University Technical College (UTC), improve flow of potential learners’ apprenticeships had already been lodged said: “We employ independent careers through the internet-based service, which advisers who link with our industrial went live nationwide in September and partner employers to advise students on Reform of the government’s flagship scheme since its launch in January 2014, allows students to research and apply for apprenticehips, UTCs are well placed to do traineeship scheme could channel more opposed narrowing the goal of traineeships. vocational or academic post-16 courses. this because of their specialist nature. young people onto apprenticeships, sector She said BT’s programme aimed “to “More and more schools and colleges “It’s much harder for ordinary state leaders have claimed. prepare our trainees to make confident are using the apply service and, as a schools that have to advise on a much wider Traineeships, which aim to get 16 to choices about what to do next”. trusted source of impartial guidance on variety of vocational training.” 24-year-olds “work ready” by combining “This might be a job, an apprenticeship, or careers and education, UCas is in a really The government will also need to work experience with maths, English and it could be more training or education. All of strong position to explain to young people, significantly increase the number of employability training, had a slow start in the these are good outcomes,” she said. parents, teachers and advisers what employers prepared to hire apprentices. first academic year following their launch in Mr Segal agreed that apprenticeship apprenticeships are all about,” she said. Former Dragons’ Den investor May 2013. progression should not “be the only Richard Atkins, Association of Colleges Doug Richard recommended making The number of traineeship starts for the successful outcome from participating in a (AoC) president and principal of Exeter apprenticeships more employer-led, to whole of 2013/14 was just 10,400 — although traineeship”. College, said better schools careers advice ensure they are tailored for the needs and there were subsequently 5,000 starts in the But he thought traineeship starts could be would be needed on apprenticeships. therefore appeal more to businesses, in his first quarter of 2014/15 (August to October) increased by opening up the scheme to more He said: “The situation needs to improve Review of Apprentices report in November compared to 3,300 in the first two quarters of providers, who could in turn bring more as we find every year in colleges that 2012. 2013/14. employers on board. young people lack knowledge about what But resulting government plans to route The AoC has made reform of traineeships, Current restrictions limit the delivery apprenticeships offer.” funding through employers, either through so they would be specifically geared of traineeships to mainly grade one and Stewart Segal, Association of the PAYE system or a credit account, were at preparing 16 and 17-year-olds for two providers, but, he said: “We need to Employment and Learning Providers shelved in January after Skills Minister apprenticeships, one of its general election extend the programme to all providers who chief executive, said independent learning Nick Boles admitted “more homework” manifesto pledges. have evidence they can deliver high quality providers could “be the link between was needed to address concerns about Mr Atkins said they were “too general in programmes.” schools and employers. Providers can unwanted bureaucracy it could cause their aims at the moment”. Mr Atkins said: use their links to local employers small businesses. But he said: “They could play an “To not allow grade and knowledge of the local labour Mr Atkins said important role in preparing more people three providers to market to support schools”. he would still for apprenticeships if they evolved into a run traineeships Brian Lightman, general like to see the pre-apprenticeship programme with more seems harsh on secretary of the Association “creation of emphasis on good quality work experience. he people living in of School and College Leaders You wouldn’t have to change the name.” areas where there (ASCL), warned schools were But Deborah Lee (pictured right), chief may only be “significantly under learning officer for BT which has taken on grade three resourced” for almost 500 young people on its traineeship providers.” apprenticeship Brian Lightman and Stewart Segal 4 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 No ‘holting’ SME apprenticeship plans Almost three years after Jason Holt further consultation after neither proposed published his review entitled funding method, funding through the ‘Making apprenticeships more PAYE system or an employer account, won accessible to small and medium-sized sector support. enterprises’, the chief executive of Holts “I think Nick Boles made the right Gems seemed pleased with the progress decision to pause rather than making the that has been made. wrong decision,” said Mr Holt. The 42-page report made 15 “But he needs to make a decision quickly recommendations in total, which it now as to what he plans to do.” broke down into three main categories — Although he struggled to pick out Communication: raising awareness of the his own preferred funding method, the benefits of apprenticeships, Empowerment: important thing for him and for SME SMEs to get the best from their training engagement, he said, was “simplicity”. providers and Simplification: ownership “Inevitably taking on an apprentice is and responsibility for the apprenticeships going to involve more action than just programme and removing barriers. offering a job to a young person,” he said. “I would say the review came at the right “But whatever that step is, it has to be so time,” he said. blindingly easy that it’s worth it. “There are lots of encouraging signs “Because I’m not talking about the — the spotlight is much more on the SME employer that has employed an apprentice than ever before and I’m hearing a lot more before — they will go through a degree of people talking about apprenticeships and pain because they have seen and recognise asking about them.” the value. As we head into the election, the three “It’s those initial, new entrants that I’m major parties are competing to over how talking about — so that’s the big game.” many apprenticeships they can offer. Some of his recommendations haven’t However, Mr Holt was cautious about a come to fruition — his suggestion that an focus on numbers. online apprentice community leading to “There is still some way to go before possible Royal Society of Apprenticeships Jason Holt there is a really clear strategy for SME was never picked up by government. engagement,” he said. And although it is recommended between apprentices” through social media and micro-businesses, these firms must “I think inevitably there is going to be providers tell employers how much their campaigns. have the support they need to navigate the an interruption now with the election but apprentice training is costing, as Mr Holt She added a requirement for providers to system and reap the benefits of taking on what I am trying to encourage Nick Boles suggested, he said it often wasn’t being ensure they made employers aware of the apprentice,” he said. and the government to do is to constantly done. government’s financial contribution had “We have been working with Jason think SME — it’s very tempting to look at Mr Holt said: “As part of the new been introduced following the Holt Review. Holt since the publication of his review, numbers. system you will see what the government On SMEs and apprenticeships in general, and progress has been made in engaging “If it’s a numbers game, it’s very easy to pays — but my regret is we didn’t make Mr Holt added: “We’ve still very much talked small businesses with the apprenticeships cover that with large businesses which can that happen first, because we might be about large business, and I think we might system.” take on more apprentices,” he said. in a different place from a knowledge have made more progress on SMEs with a The Confederation of British Industry had “But working for an SME is very point of view now in terms of how people more focused system plan, but I am forgiving a similar view to Mr Holt’s assessment of the different to large business — small think about the proposed new funding of it because frankly there has been a lot of current situation for SMEs, three years on businesses can offer so much more mechanism.” change. And I think we are getting back on from his report. diversity and flexibility in the role.” A spokesperson for the Department track.” “While some progress has been made However much the landscape has of Business, Innovation and Skills said The Federation of Small Business chair to date, there is plenty more to be done to shifted since the Holt review, it’s about although it was for employers to decide John Allan agreed with Mr Holt that reduce bureaucracy for smaller firms which to face a much bigger upheaval with the if a society of apprentices would be apprenticeships had to be simple. have less time and fewer resources,” a funding reforms, currently halted for “useful” it was “promoting engagement “To make the system appeal to more small spokesperson said. RECENT HISTORY OF APPRENTICESHIP PROPOSALS AND REFORMS 2014 (August) — Guidelines for 51 new apprenticeships 2012 (May) — Jason Holt published his 2013 (March) — The government published its initial were published through the review, ‘Making apprenticeships more response to Mr Richard’s review. It recommended government’s Trailblazer scheme, accessible to small and medium-sized employers putting recognised industry standards at as developed by more than 400 enterprises’ (see above) the heart of every apprenticeship employers in 37 sectors 2012 (November) — Doug Richard 2013 (July) — The Department for recommended making apprenticeships Business, Innovation and Skills published more employer-orientated in his Review its apprenticeship funding reform plans, of Apprentices report. It called for including a proposal to route funding via employers to pay providers directly for employers through PAYE that provoked a apprenticeship training mixed reaction from business leaders @ncfe @FEWeek www.feweek.co.uk 5 No ‘holting’ SME apprenticeship plans HOLT’S 15 APPRENTICESHIP RECOMMENDATIONS (AND HIS THREE ‘KEY’ AREAS) COMMUNICATION JH: I think this will take two or three 1 National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to take lead on all apprenticeship related years to really flourish communication On the back of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and with the 2 A campaign for professionals such as lawyers and accountants to become support of NAS we want apprentice apprenticeships ambassadors makers to champion apprenticeships, create peer-to-peer networks and spread 3 Spread best practice examples of the word to their communities and apprenticeship promotion by schools sectors. It’s starting to happen and there are thousands of businesses that want to know how to engage 4 Promote greater awareness of apprenticeships in young people And what I am hoping will happen is there’ll be an apprentice network for each region and there’ll be a kudos to being an 5 Create an online apprentice community which could become a (Royal) Society of apprentice maker Apprentices EMPOWERMENT 6 Allow SMEs to design develop their own training provision or work with providers JH: We’ve been talking more about the customer journey and the navigation and it’s great this still exists and is 7 An online tool to enable employers to being developed further The Association of Employment and find provision with feedback from other Learning Providers chief executive Stewart employers’ experiences of each provider The new apprenticeships website that’s Segal said: “We welcomed Jason Holt’s being set up at the moment is allowing recommendations and are pleased many of 8 Funding to reflect higher cost for training you to actually look at the Ofsted rating of them have been taken forward. providers of SME apprentices providers. The next phase of development “It is important the current reform is for this to be employer responsive, in process… does not impose barriers on greater engagement by smaller businesses. real time, which is what I think needs to 9 Providers to set out funding contributed Such an outcome would undo much of the towards apprenticeship training costs happen, because Ofsted obviously can positives derived from Jason’s work.” for employers in a simple, consistent and be quite dated in terms of its relevance transparent way Association of Colleges senior skills policy to that employer. It’s easier to navigate manager Teresa Frith said the Government had made “good progress” implementing Mr 10 A Provider Charter relating to – so that’s been good, but it will go even apprenticeship training provision to SMEs Holt’s recommendations. further “However, there is still more to be done to encourage small and medium-sized SIMPLIFICATION businesses to get involved in offering apprenticeships,” she said. 11 Ensure roles and responsibilities of Government departments and agencies are JH: In terms of the new Provider clear, coherent and optimal Charter, the Minister, John Hayes, did not agree to a charter in his response 12 A way for employers to place a temporary advert for an apprenticeship vacancy before However, with AELP and AOC we did the official advert is approved by NAS agree the wording to a provider promise. This articulated what a provider would endeavour to do which included the 13 Bridge gaps between schools and apprenticeships standard of service and responsiveness it would give employers, especially small ones. The Richard reforms took the issue 2015 (January) — The 14 A network of SMEs who can mentor SME of provider service standards as one of its government conceded that businesses new to apprenticeships major tenets more research was needed on its proposals to route apprenticeship funding via 15 Government to explore incentivisation employers either through PAYE options for employers or a credit account 6 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 Politicians lay out picture of apprenticeships if election victory comes their way Matthew Chuka Umunna hancock Shadow Business Secretary Business, Enterprise & Energy Minister Every year, National Apprenticeship Week provides use the billions of pounds which government already a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the life- spends on procurement to create more high-quality When we first came to government in 2010 the changing opportunities offered by the programme apprenticeship opportunities, requiring all suppliers apprenticeship system was in a mess. and to shine a spotlight on learners’ work. getting major public contracts to offer apprenticeships. Some apprenticeship placements lasted We must never lose sight of the huge difference and This approach is backed up by the cross-party BIS less than half a year. Others offered next to nothing in positive contribution high-quality technical qualifications select committee which has estimated that at least one proper on-the-job training. make for individuals, families, businesses and society. new apprenticeship could be created for every £1m spent So-called ‘programme-led’ schemes had no That’s why my Labour colleagues and I will be banging programme at all, isolating apprentices from the the drum for apprenticeships and apprentices right across workplace and their employer. We will work the country and why I am greatly looking forward to Only 50 per cent of our apprentices reported speaking at FE Week’s Annual Apprenticeship Conference receiving the vital in-house training they needed to towards a system during National Apprenticeship Week. succeed. Under this government, apprenticeship quality has been where all apprenticeships undermined and the historic and trusted apprenticeship In the next brand is at risk of being tarnished as new concerns on are at level three and quality and status of qualifications have emerged. Parliament the We’ve seen in-work training for existing employees above, last at least rebadged under the apprenticeship label on a colossal Conservatives commit scale. two years and are focused Almost four-in-ten employers are unaware that to delivering 3m more the in-work training they provide is described as on new entrants ‘apprenticeships’ by ministers. high quality employer-led One-in-five apprentices is receiving no formal training, and a staggering 93 per cent of apprenticeships for over apprenticeships, so that 25s — which we’ve seen more than double as a proportion of all apprenticeships under this government — are being on procurement. Sadly, the government has blocked the more people than ever undertaken by existing employees. progress of two private member’s bills which would have At the same time, the proportion of apprenticeship legislated to put in place our plans. before have a chance to starts by young people is down by almost a quarter under So that young people and employers have the skills they this government, and the number of young people starting need, we would also ensure all young people study English equip themselves with apprenticeships has fallen in the last year. and maths to the age of 18. The number of over 60s starting an apprenticeship has We want FE lecturers teaching young people to have the skills they need to increased by 520 per cent since 2010 — 25 times more than teaching qualifications, to be qualified in maths and the figure for the under 25s, while the vast majority of English, and to spend time in industry regularly to refresh succeed apprenticeship starts have been at lower levels — just 2 their skills. per cent have been at level four or above. We will introduce a new tech bacc to drive up the And to many apprentices, particularly young people, are quality of technical education in schools and colleges, not receiving the appropriate minimum wage. with new institutes of technical education to underpin Labour let our apprentices down. Something had to So where this government has failed, the next Labour excellence at the best FE institutions. change. government will act. We will work towards a system We would make it easier for Catapult Centres — We set out a clear plan to drive up the quality of where all apprenticeships are at level three and above, last initiated by the last Labour government to bring together apprenticeships and deliver meaningful, respected at least two years and are focused on new entrants. scientists and engineers to develop new technologies into training for all who wanted it. Employers in all sectors and of all sizes constantly successful business propositions — to take on apprentices We put apprenticeships at the forefront of our raise with me the need for the system to be better aligned and drive the creation of high-quality technical economic plan. And it paid off. to their needs. That’s why Labour will put employers in opportunities. Since 2010 we’ve created 2.1m new apprenticeships, the driving seat, giving employers through sector bodies And we will work with leading companies and focusing on the quality of every single one of them. a greater role and helping them boost apprenticeships universities to develop new Technical Degrees teaching We wanted to ensure every young person had the within supply chains. And we will give city and county the high-level skills which our economy needs. right skills to equip them for the workforce and we regions the powers and budgets they need, including over This will enable us to tackle our skills gaps and wanted apprenticeships to be in direct competition adult skills based on local commissioning plans. ultimately increase the UK’s productivity. That is the with universities for the most ambitious, highly To boost apprenticeship numbers, we would put to prize and we must grab it. motivated young people. @ncfe @FEWeek www.feweek.co.uk 7 Politicians lay out picture of apprenticeships if election victory comes their way Matthew Vince Cable hancock Business Secretary Business, Enterprise & Energy Minister My goal is for any young person to have two train. There would be a small levy on companies (except We put measures in place to ensure every student equally attractive routes to a rewarding micro-companies) that would be fully ring-fenced and given leaves school with good GCSEs in maths and English. career — by going to university or doing an back to companies that train — in the form of vouchers so We want every qualification to be worthwhile apprenticeship up to and including degree level training. those companies can choose their own preferred accredited and relevant to the workplace which is why we are During the last five years we have implemented apprenticeship arrangements. transforming the curriculum. reforms that have opened up the range and quality of To secure the high level vocational skills that businesses For example, the new maths GCSE includes apprenticeships and challenged the perception that need, we also propose to develop specialist National questions on financial literacy, such as calculating the a vocational education was inferior to a traditional Colleges as centres of expertise, where there is demand and interest on a loan not just abstract algebra. university one. an identified need, and these would represent a modern We’ve made sure every apprenticeship is a real paid As a result of conscious decisions I made as Secretary version of polytechnics. Those could typically involve job with an employer and lasting at least 12 months. of State earlier in the Parliament, we have been able to partnerships with existing FE colleges. If you have high expectations of people then I have double the number of apprenticeships over the last five no doubt that they will rise to the challenge. years of coalition government and unique quality at a time We’ve put employer in the driving seat, designing of austerity. The Liberal apprenticeships to suit them, not us in Whitehall. Businesses, consumers and young people are Apprentices can rise to meet the challenges of their now recognising the significant opportunities that employers and gain real-life skills for the job. apprenticeships can offer. It was one of my proudest Democrats would That’s why we’ve asked employers — market moments as Business Secretary when, in December last leaders in sectors from finance to food, retail to steel year, we celebrated the two millionth apprenticeship — commit to doubling the — to literally rewrite the apprenticeship rulebook. 16-year-old Paige, who marked this milestone and whom I They’re condensing hundreds of pages of complex, met in Oxford, is being trained to design and manufacture messy frameworks to a two-page description of the advanced instruments for scientific research, as part of her number of businesses skills and behaviour employees should demonstrate higher apprenticeship. in a particular industry and how they should be She now has the opportunity to progress to a degree level offering apprentices assessed. qualification while learning on the job. Shorter, clearer, better standards written by For me, the apprentice agenda is about quality as much employers for employers. as quantity. Employers have taken the lead in setting We believe in them and we believe in young people. simpler, but more rigorous standards for apprenticeships Liberal Democrats in the next government seek to But we don’t want to stop there. in their own sectors. There are now clear expectations ensure these opportunities are open to all, working In the next Parliament the Conservatives commit for apprentices embarking on careers as airplane fitters, with the Apprenticeship Advisory Group to increase to delivering 3m more high quality employer-led electricians, paralegals, butchers, dental technicians and the numbers coming from BAME backgrounds, ensure apprenticeships, so that more people than ever before in more than 70 other fields — with demanding tests and gender balance across industry sectors, and encourage have a chance to equip themselves with the skills they tough grading along the way. under-represented groups to apply. We will also improve need to succeed. I want more companies to derive the benefits from provision of independent careers information, advice and Apprenticeships have been at the heart of our skills offering high-quality training of this kind; 96 per cent guidance for all, through the National Careers Service. revolution and they will be at the heart of the next of employers who’ve hired an apprentice believe their Apprentices make a vital contribution to the economy, government, if we are re-elected in May. business has profited. This is just as true of small family boost business productivity and give people the skills they I know just how valuable apprenticeships are. firms as it is of Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus or British need to get on in the world of work. There is objective I was proud to hire a brilliant apprentice who Telecom. We are simplifying apprenticeship funding to analysis which supports that apprenticeships typically thrived in Parliamentary office, and is now standing bring more small and medium-sized companies on board. yield £18 of benefit for every £1 spent; benefit to the as a parliamentary candidate for election in May. In the next parliament the Liberal Democrats would apprentices, the company which invests in apprenticeships It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch her grow commit to doubling the number of businesses offering and the wider economy. professionally and to play a small part in that. apprentices, in part by extending them to new sectors As we celebrate National Apprenticeships Week 2015, The Conservatives in government have thrown our of our economy, like the creative and digital industries. I am enormously proud of the opportunities Liberal weight behind apprentices and I’m proud of all we This is not simply a numbers game; it’s important that Democrats in government have created for people to gain have achieved: there really has never been a better the apprenticeships we are creating teach valuable skills the skills to get ahead. From accountancy to pharmacy, time to start an apprenticeship. and expertise. I would like to see even more of degree- fashion design to software design, care work to police But we know there’s more to do and we would equivalent apprenticeships and more options within small work, we’ve supported thousands of businesses, big and go even further and run even faster to make sure and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). small, to grow and compete by developing apprenticeship that an apprenticeship is on par with a university To help support this expansion the Liberal Democrats training. I hope to continue this work with my Liberal degree. would change the funding mechanism to reward firms that Democrat colleagues as part of the next government. great futures start here. NCFE Apprenticeships NCFE is top of the class when it comes to supporting educators and offering clear, skills based progression for learners. Our range of high quality Apprenticeships provide you with everything you’ll need to help your learners develop the essential skills and experience to get on in the workplace. What’s more, with both full and part Apprenticeships available across a variety of sectors, you’ll be sure to find a programme that’s ideal for your learners. Delivering more. We want to help maximise your Apprenticeship delivery. That’s why we provide award winning customer service which aims to save you time and money, and get the best results for your learners. Don’t just take our word for it; we’re the only awarding organisation to feature in the Top 50 Companies for Customer Service. Put us to the test, we offer: • 1 day turnaround on certificates, providing • a host of FREE learning resources designed to you with immediate evidence for funding help enhance your Apprenticeship delivery claims • FREE access to ForSkills’ initial assessment and • 6 day turnaround on Functional Skills results diagnostic tool. Find out what NCFE Apprenticeships can do for your learners. Call 0191 239 8000 Email [email protected] Visit ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships 04722 AB Apprenticeship DPS 350x530.indd 1 05/03/2015 13:00 great futures start here. NCFE Apprenticeships NCFE is top of the class when it comes to supporting educators and offering clear, skills based progression for learners. Our range of high quality Apprenticeships provide you with everything you’ll need to help your learners develop the essential skills and experience to get on in the workplace. What’s more, with both full and part Apprenticeships available across a variety of sectors, you’ll be sure to find a programme that’s ideal for your learners. Delivering more. We want to help maximise your Apprenticeship delivery. That’s why we provide award winning customer service which aims to save you time and money, and get the best results for your learners. Don’t just take our word for it; we’re the only awarding organisation to feature in the Top 50 Companies for Customer Service. Put us to the test, we offer: • 1 day turnaround on certificates, providing • a host of FREE learning resources designed to you with immediate evidence for funding help enhance your Apprenticeship delivery claims • FREE access to ForSkills’ initial assessment and • 6 day turnaround on Functional Skills results diagnostic tool. Find out what NCFE Apprenticeships can do for your learners. Call 0191 239 8000 Email [email protected] Visit ncfe.org.uk/apprenticeships 04722 AB Apprenticeship DPS 350x530.indd 1 05/03/2015 13:00 10 www.ncfe.org.uk NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2015 stats Nick Linford STATS AUTHOR OF THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO FUNDING APPRENTICESHIPS SUCCESS RATES BY LEVEL SUCCESS RATES BY AGE 80.0% 80.0% 75.0% 75.0% 70.0% 70.0% 65.0% 65.0% 60.0% 60.0% Level 2 Level 3 Level 4+ Total Under 19 19-24 25+ Total YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 Level 2 73% 72% 69% -3% Under 19 73% 72% 71% -1% Level 3 77% 73% 69% -4% 19-24 76% 73% 70% -3% Level 4+ 73% 70% 71% -1% 25+ 73% 73% 67% -6% Total 74% 72% 69% -3% Total 74% 72% 69% -3% NON- ACHIEVEMENTS BY LEVEL NON-ACHIEVEMENTS BY AGE 140,000 140,000 120,000 120,000 100,000 100,000 80,000 80,000 60,000 60,000 40,000 40,000 20,000 20,000 0 0 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4+ Total Under 19 19-24 25+ Total YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 YEAR 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 SHIFT SINCE 12/13 Level 2 73% 72% 69% -3% Under 19 73% 72% 71% -1% Level 3 77% 73% 69% -4% 19-24 76% 73% 70% -3% Level 4+ 73% 70% 71% -1% 25+ 73% 73% 67% -6% Total 74% 72% 69% -3% Total 74% 72% 69% -3%

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apprenticeships are the hot topic of the pre- election campaigns Staying on target in numbers game. Reform of the .. we want apprentice makers to champion apprenticeships, spends on procurement to create more high-quality.
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