By David Grailey, Chief Executive
An 11 month review into Apprenticeships has concluded that urgent reforms are required to the government’s Apprenticeship programme in order to boost economic growth.
There are certainly some worthwhile recommendations in the report that resonate with me and mirror NCFE’s own core values. The focus on quality and value should surely be applauded as the report calls for an improvement of standards. It’s absolutely right that the programme should be focused on rigorous training which meets the needs of participants, rather than simply the raw number of Apprenticeships offered.
It’s also encouraging to see that the review asks for schemes to be ambitious in raising the status of Apprenticeships, so that they can ultimately hold the same prestige as a university degree. A lot of work has already been done in improving perceptions of vocational training and it’s fantastic that we’ve seen such substantial government investment in this area (last year alone the government ploughed £1.2bn into the Apprenticeship programme). However there is still room for improvement, particularly in relation to how Apprenticeships are presented to young people in schools.
The BIS report recommends that the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has a statutory responsibility to raise awareness of Apprenticeships for students as viable post-16 option. This contentious issue raised its head earlier this year when entrepreneur Jason Holt made a very similar recommendation in his own review. Holt has since admitted that he was disappointed with the government response as they chose not to act on his suggestion.
I understand that it’s a real challenge for schools to promote the value of vocational training, particularly in light of Michael Gove’s proposed exam reform (the E-Bacc will measure success based solely on 5 academic subjects). However, I think it’s crucial that young people have access to all of their potential options in equal measure. After all, academia is not for everyone, there is no ‘one size fits all’ and it’s therefore essential that we embrace the wide variety of skills of all young people and find the right route for each individual.
At NCFE, the learner is at the heart of everything we do and is our core reason for being. Quite simply, their needs are paramount and their future is key. That’s why, as much as I welcome the general message of this latest report, with its focus on the technicalities of apprenticeships, operating laws and funding criteria, I feel that it’s important not to lose sight of the apprentices themselves. Our focus should always be on supporting each learner into meaningful employment, equipping them with the right skills to compete successfully in the tough labour market.
Overall, I would echo the sentiment of the Chairman of the BIS Committee, Adrian Bailey, who has stated that Apprenticeships are potentially capable of solving “some of this country's most pressing issues” by creating a more skilled workforce and increasing employment. It’s my hope that following the publication of this timely report and the subsequent Richards Review, the government will unlock this potential by coming up with a cohesive strategy which truly serves the needs of learners, industry and the wider economy.
I'd also like to remind you of some key dates for your diary. Our series of regional events will be starting in the new year, bringing you key information, support, advice. The confirmed dates are as follows:
York 30 Jan 2013
Birmingham 12 Feb 2013
London 1 March 2013
We do hope to see you there!
Best wishes
David Grailey
NCFE Chief Executive
