On 17 May, the Times Educations Supplement and other further education publications reported another drop in apprenticeship starts for 2018. In February 2018, there were 21,800 apprenticeship starts – down from 36,400 starts in February 2017. These figures are provisional – more detailed data will be released by the government in November.
TQUK EPA sees these numbers as part of the maturing of apprenticeship delivery in the UK. While the concerns of employers and training providers should be addressed, we have seen a constant rise in the number of organisations that have approached us to provide End-Point Assessment for apprentices in all sectors. We’re registering new apprentices every day on multiple standards.
We’ve had a lot of feedback from training providers and employers about the rigorousness and high standards that the new reforms, which include End-Point Assessment and the new 20% off-the-job training requirements, have had on the educational experience of the apprentices in question.
These requirements have often brought out the best in employers and providers, rising to meet the challenge providing an excellent educational experience that the reforms require. We agree wholeheartedly with the stance of the Skills Minister, Anne Milton, who stated that:
“The number of people starting on the old style apprenticeships has fallen, but the number of people starting on our new, higher-quality apprenticeships are increasing well beyond our expectations. We won’t sacrifice that quality to increase quantity.”
Employers sometimes struggle with the level of intricacy involved in the Levy. This is understandable, and the government should perhaps do a better job communicating the benefits of an employer’s deeper involvement in apprenticeship delivery. There are organisations, like Corndel, that help employers maximise the benefits of the Levy.
TQUK EPA is excited to be involved in this new educational landscape and proud to have a part in forging a new future for apprentices all around the country.
For a more detailed analysis of the apprenticeship numbers, click here for our most recent blog.
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See you out there!
