Two pieces of information have been released by the government today (24 September) that will be of key interest to those working across the FE sector, employers who invest in their workforce training and development and those looking to start their careers or upskill via the apprenticeship route.
The Prime Minister has announced an overhaul of Apprenticeships in order to improve and increase opportunity, including a promise to shorten apprenticeships and to make changes to how the current employer levy is used, especially around its use to fund Level 7 apprenticeships.
Sir Keir Starmer also used his conference speech to highlight how Labour will allow more flexibility to enable employers to access their real training needs.
The Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network (DCTPN) welcomes the news to boost opportunity for individuals and to support businesses through a more flexible approach to skills and training, however the devil will be in the detail.
Sharron Robbie MBE, CEO of the DCTPN, said: “The replacement of the existing apprenticeship levy with a new growth and skills levy is not entirely unexpected.
“We, and others working across the FE space, have been lobbying for some time over the need to review the current Apprenticeship levy to support greater growth of apprenticeships and to improve access for those furthest from the jobs market. We are keen to hear more detail as things progress, but things seem to be moving pretty quickly.”
In another move which will surely prick the interest of the sector, Skills England released its first report on the same day.
Titled ‘Driving growth and widening opportunities‘ this 60-plus page report confirms the government’s commitment to economic growth and the integral part that skills play in achieving this.
The talk is of a skills system fit for the future in order for us to meet our future skills requirements and commitments to enable the building of new homes, to make our country greener and more energy self-sufficient and to ensure we have a health service fit for all.
