In a move that will benefit UK businesses as well as young workers, the government is reforming the apprenticeship system.
A new accelerated approach to apprenticeships
The government’s aim is to give young people a quicker route into high-quality jobs by creating a faster approval process, while at the same time addressing urgent skills gaps for businesses.
This new accelerated approach will mean that updates to training or development of new short courses can be completed in just three months.
This forms part of the government’s Growth and Skills Levy reforms, delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people backed by £725 million funding.
It will help companies to meet their business needs more quickly, while reflecting the government’s consultation on ensuring companies bidding for major infrastructure contracts contribute to high-quality jobs, skills and apprenticeships.
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REC respond to reforms
Shazia Ejaz, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Campaigns Director, commented on the announcement:
“Making it easier for employers to update apprenticeships is a welcome change. A faster approval process, so long as it maintains quality, will cut red tape, creating more opportunities for workers and enabling employers to meet changing skills needs.
“However, greater flexibility is still missing. Today’s dynamic economy means employers and employees must be trusted to get on and create the jobs the UK needs.
“Employers have long wanted the Growth and Skills Levy to be easier to use; many businesses who pay the levy are unable to access it. For example, levy funds are mostly only available to those who have the same employer for at least one year. This means many employees, especially the million temporary workers on assignment in the UK every day, are arbitrarily locked out from receiving training.
“If the government are serious about their goal of 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people, allowing short, modular courses to also be funded by the Levy would be an easy win.
“With unemployment high and forecast to rise, government must get the details right on how to deliver these changes. Continued engagement with employers and recruiters is crucial.”
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