Weekly Newsletter 31.10.2024

PLUS: Green Skills Gap Closed? Liverpool College Leads the Way!

Author

Sophie Bruxner-Randall
October 31, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Key Insights 🎯

Zac Aldridge on LinkedIn: Budget Day Breakdown 💼

Today’s budget brings £40m for Foundation Apprenticeships, a minimum wage rise to £7.55 for apprentices, and £300m for further education. While promising, the funding specifics remain vague, especially as NI increases will strain smaller training providers.

🔗 Dive into the budget’s impact on apprenticeships and FE, and what it means for training providers.

Accelerate People on LinkedIn: Case study - Sam Brent

Sam’s journey at Arup & Partners, in collaboration with Kaplan, was shaped by effective guidance and focused preparation. ​Sam’s strong time management and prioritisation helped him succeed. The clarity and support from his assessor played a key role in easing his nerves and guiding him through the process. ​


🔗 See how Accelerate People help apprentices manage their time effectively and achieve excellence in their EPA.

On the Radar 🔎

POLICY UPDATE

Following Labour’s Budget announcement, industry leaders are voicing concerns about the 16% increase in youth wage rates, warning it may deter small and micro businesses from hiring apprentices.

Caroline Larissey, CEO of the National Hair & Beauty Federation, highlighted that without interim support, many small employers won’t be able to afford apprenticeship programs. This underscores the importance of the new Growth & Skills levy in ensuring essential funding and incentives for training young apprentices, particularly for small businesses.

SUSTAINABILITY SECTOR

Apprenticeships are crucial for achieving the UK's net-zero and nature goals, as highlighted by the Aldersgate Group's report. They address skills shortages and support social mobility, with sustainable programmes like Level 2 countryside worker and Level 7 sustainability business specialist. However, apprenticeship starts have declined significantly, from 520,600 in 2011/2 to 337,140 in 2022/3.

The report recommends policy changes to boost apprenticeships, such as providing long-term policy certainty, enhancing careers advice, offering financial support to SMEs, and making funding models transparent. Transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy could rejuvenate the apprenticeship pipeline, supporting green growth and environmental commitments. Addressing structural challenges is essential for apprenticeships to thrive and bridge the green skills gap.

CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is investing £150 million in apprenticeship grants across the UK from April 2023 to March 2025. This initiative aims to boost apprenticeship starts, with 31% of employers planning to hire apprentices and 48% considering it. The New Entrant Support Team (NEST), launched in January 2023, has already assisted over 2,318 individuals in starting apprenticeships.

CITB's Chief Executive, Tim Balcon, emphasises the importance of a strong apprenticeship pipeline for SMEs and the construction industry. Over two-thirds of apprenticeship starts are with companies of fewer than 50 employees. The focus is on increasing apprenticeship numbers, improving retention, and attracting apprentices to the industry, addressing the issue of 60% of further education learners not entering the construction field.

EDUCATION SECTOR

The City of Liverpool College is addressing the net zero skills gap by equipping students with essential green skills. Joel Breen, a standout student, is excelling in sustainable building through an apprenticeship with Kimpton, combining practical work with academic study.

The College's commitment to sustainability includes a £100,000 investment in new training facilities, launching a Heat Pump Centre of Excellence. This initiative, alongside industry expert lectures, ensures students are prepared for the evolving job market.

Joel's success highlights the College's role in fostering future leaders in the green economy. Their focus on Green Skills training is crucial for meeting net zero targets, as noted by industry professionals like Matt Breakwell and Colin Salmon, who commend the College's innovative approach.

EDUCATION NEWS

The University of Cambridge has discontinued its senior leader apprenticeship programme despite receiving an outstanding rating from Ofsted. The decision was made due to the programme's lack of viability, although the university continues to offer its architect apprenticeship. The senior leader apprenticeship, which attracted £14,000 in funding per apprentice, was primarily aimed at high-ranking police officers.

The Institute of Continuing Education at Cambridge, located in Madingley Hall, remains committed to its criminology and police management master's programme, costing £31,000. Despite scaling back some apprenticeship offerings, the institute increased enrolments by 25% in 2022-23. Director Dr James Gazzard noted the competitive and regulated nature of the sector, emphasising the need for strategic coordination.

EDUCATION POLICY

The current Skills System is under scrutiny for being complex, short-term, and lacking strategic direction, as highlighted by Baroness Taylor in a letter to Skills Minister Jacqui Smith. Concerns are raised about the Apprenticeship Levy's transition to the Growth and Skills Levy, potentially disadvantaging young people and causing confusion among employers and providers. The need for a clear progression route for young people, particularly at Levels 4 and 5, is emphasised.

The Industrial Strategy's soft launch calls for a complementary Skills Strategy, with the upcoming budget expected to provide clarity. National Apprenticeship Week is set for 10th-16th February 2025, and new initiatives like the Livestream Season "Unlocking Opportunities" aim to foster innovation in the FE sector.

HRD: Digital Apprenticeships is a Contentive publication in the Education division