TheTalentPeople’s Post

🌟 #ICYMI: Latest Updates on Apprenticeship Measures! Discover the latest government actions aimed at boosting apprentice numbers and supporting SMEs. While a positive step for closing skills gaps, the National Centre for Universities and Business calls for comprehensive Apprenticeship Levy reform. Read more about these crucial developments here: https://lnkd.in/ehNCkd4f 📚✨

ICYMI: Latest from FE News: Apprenticeship funding reform a step in the right direction, but long road ahead: Yesterday, government measures to boost apprentice numbers and support for SMEs came into play. While a positive step for closing acute skills gaps, the National… Apprenticeship funding reform a step in the right direction, but long road ahead was published on FE News by FE News Editor Read more here:

🫴 The DfE is set to hand back £60m of apprenticeship funding - 2% of its ring-fenced budget - to the Treasury in 2023-24, new figures show And the gap between money raised by the levy and spend on apprenticeships continues to grow. A recent OBR forecast predicted total apprenticeship levy intake will reach £3.9 billion in 2023-24...around £875m will be held onto by the Treasury

In July, we discussed potential changes to apprenticeships under the new Labour Government. This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced significant reforms to the apprenticeship system, replacing the existing apprenticeship levy with a new Growth and Skills Levy. Key changes include the introduction of foundation apprenticeships for younger workers and shorter apprenticeships, providing greater flexibility for both employers and learners. Additionally, funding for some Level 7 apprenticeships will shift, requiring businesses to contribute more financially, with levy funds being reallocated to support younger and less-qualified workers. These reforms are designed to better address skills gaps across key sectors and are expected to have a positive impact. If you’d like to learn more about how these changes could affect your apprenticeship strategy, feel free to contact one of our apprenticeship experts [email protected] #Labour #training #apprenticeships #growthandskills #SMEs #skillsengland #overhaul #Strategy #changesarecoming Steve Payne Adrian Cousins-Cuckson Lianne (Li) Russell Karen Mellor Julie Taylor Ben Wakefield nicola baxter

✅ The Prime Minister has today confirmed that major apprenticeship levy reform will go ahead to enhance flexibility, boost opportunity for young people, and tailor training to tackle the most significant skills shortages affecting businesses and industries across the UK. ♻️ The new 'Growth and Skills' levy will allow funding for shorter apprenticeships by lifting the current 12 month minimun duration requirement, will be targeted at supporting apprentices in key growth sectors, will support the introduction of foundation apprenticeships for young people, and will encourage businesses to fund more of their higher level apprenticeships outside of the levy. 🗣 "We've got to give businesses more flexibility to adapt to real raining needs, and also unlock the pride and ambition that young people feel when building a future not just for themselves, but for their community", the Prime Minister said today at the Labour conference. "We will rebalance funding in our training system back to young people and align that with what businesses really need." #government #labourconference #starmer #apprenticeships https://lnkd.in/guWtjZER

The national underspend on apprenticeships needs to be analysed carefully before government starts to make any sweeping changes. Firstly the deliberate underfunding of level 2 apprenticeships has led to the abandonment of these standards by providers (lowering take up). The removal of qualifications from the Standards against the direction of employers and interest of apprentices has stymied the ability of level 3 apprentices to progress directly onto H.E programmes (further lowering take up). In my opinion the dilution of the institute for apprenticeship’s remit away from its original core mission to encompass technical learning has muddied the waters. Personally I would like to hear more about the employer groups participation in the review of apprenticeship standards than the regular self-congratulation that comes out of IfATE. Lastly any planned deregulation of how the levy is spent has the potential to devastate the landscape. Apprenticeships offer structure, ongoing support training and development. If big business is allowed to spend this on stand alone qualifications it is inevitable that apprenticeship numbers will fall further and drive apprenticeship’s back into the SME footprint. This is the exact opposite of why the levy was introduced and IfATE created. What do you think? #apprenticeships #governmentfunding #levy

Use it or donate it! We need more apprenticeship vacancies generated. Levy is the lever that can make it happen! The 5% contribution, required by SMEs, can be a real barrier to utilising apprenticeships for recruiting or upskilling. With investment into wages of circa £15k and the time spent, recruiting, selecting a provider, and mentoring, there are already too many reasons why an SME would be put off from recruiting an apprentice. If you are unlikely to use your Apprenticeship levy within your business, you can donate 25% of it to any organisation as long as it is used to pay for apprenticeship training. Pass it on to your supply chain. Pass it on to a local business. Or let Lancashire Forum know that you have funds available so that they can use it as part of the Lancashire Levy Transfer Network. If donating to a business within your supply chain or a local business and they would like support on how to utilise apprenticeships. Send them to The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub where they can get impartial guidance and support at no cost to them or you (the donor). #Lancashire #Apprenticeships #apprenticeshiplevy #donate

Yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced major reforms to apprenticeships, with a focus on expanding opportunities for young people and addressing the national skills gap. Here are the main takeaways from the reforms. Introducing the Growth and Skills Levy – replacing the current apprenticeship levy, this new system is designed to offer more flexibility and better support for both employers and apprentices. Key highlights include: • Foundation Apprenticeships: A new pathway for young people to gain vital skills and paid work experience in critical sectors. • More Flexibility: The new levy will fund shorter apprenticeships, giving employers and learners greater control over training programmes. This removes the previous requirement for apprenticeships to run for at least 12 months. • Priority Skills Focus: Training funding will be directed towards sectors with the greatest need, based on assessments from Skills England, the government’s newly established body for evaluating skills needs. • Employer Investment: Businesses are being asked to focus more of their apprenticeship funding on younger workers, with employers funding a greater share of Level 7 apprenticeships (equivalent to a master’s degree) outside of the levy. The first report from Skills England reveals that over 2.5 million roles across the UK are in critical demand, with more than 90% requiring additional training or education. Sectors such as health and social care, education, manufacturing, and science and technology are among those experiencing the highest demand for skilled workers. The full report can be viewed here https://lnkd.in/eKdMzq9E. For anyone considering enrolling on a Level 7 degree apprenticeship, it’s crucial not to delay. As businesses adjust to these changes, there may be a shift in how these programmes are funded. Contact [email protected] Call 01268 204102 Visit www.seatshub.org #SEATS #Skills #Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships work. The best schemes generate £25 in economic benefits for every taxpayer pound invested. Top apprentices earn £1,630 more than their university-graduating peers five years into their careers. Sadly, there are now 10% fewer apprentice opportunities than seven years ago, and opportunities for under-19s have shrunk by almost a third. The apprenticeship levy needs reform to boost apprentice numbers. But the Labour Party's plan for a new Growth and Skills Levy isn't the answer. Jess Lister's first Onward research note, Off Course, finds that it could halve apprenticeship numbers to just 170,000 across the country. Here's why: https://lnkd.in/eFC_6Hht

One thing in life is certain, things will change! Want to know another certainty? WELL Training are here to help with navigating those changes! Whether it be changes to funding for Apprenticeships, changes to business priorities, changes in personal life circumstances, we are here! #apprenticeships #change #leadership #transform #develop #grow