The government has responded to the findings of the Holt Review with new measures to help small businesses take on apprentices.
Jeweller and social entrepreneur, Jason Holt, recognised in his report that apprenticeships offer significant growth opportunities for businesses yet only a small minority of SMEs currently employ apprentices.
He points towards a lack of awareness among small businesses about the benefits of taking on apprentices and in relation to the process of recruitment and training.
The government’s new measures include:
- Working with those people that SMEs look to for advice to promote apprenticeships
- Enabling small businesses to get their apprenticeships the training they need, through better information on availability
- Improving the performance of training providers to SMEs by agreeing standards and the consequences of not meeting them
- Improving the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE).
Holt also recommended that more should be done to raise the status of Apprenticeships amongst young people, ensuring they have access to a wealth of information on the choices available to them. The government has welcomed this recommendation but has suggested that “it should be up to schools together with local partners, including employers, to determine how best to address this challenge.”
It is interesting to note Holt’s recommendation that some potential apprentices may need additional support to prepare them for the undertaking of an apprenticeship. NCFE has a specific range of Progression to Apprenticeship qualifications which give learners the chance to develop vital skills and experience before starting an Apprenticeship in order to give them a head start. These qualifications support learners and allow them to be more confident and prepared as they embark on their Apprenticeship programme.
In response to Holt’s concerns in this area, the government has commented that it is aware of a gap in provision for unemployed young adults with low skill levels and no work experience. And will be piloting a new traineeship to give them the basic skills and work experience to compete for apprenticeships.
More information on the report and government response can be found here.
Information on NCFE Apprenticeships can be found here.
What do you think of Holt’s recommendations? Is the government response sufficient? What should schools be doing to raise the status of apprenticeships and vocational learning?
