From education to employment

Government to move away from direct Apprenticeship funding

The government looks set to move away from a direct funding model for Apprenticeships after a consultation showed employers prefer to be given “purchasing power” for the programme.

The findings have been welcomed by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), which believes the move will give employers more flexibility and choice.

“Most of the employers our members work with do not want to take on the administration and management of the government contributions and they will want to continue to work with the providers of their choice.” said AELP CEO Stewart Segal.

“AELP has put forward a number of recommendations that would reinforce the concept of employer choice and this will encourage even more employers to get involved in Apprenticeships. We are already working with BIS, EFA and SFA to develop a model that will encourage more employers to become engaged and this has to mean a collaborative approach to standards development and simplification of the current funding model.”

The government will now focus on developing new standards through its Trailblazer programme, which AELP has warned must remain coherent to continue to be successful, and that “changes are given time to bed in”.

Natalie Thornhill

 


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