News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 05 September 2011
Skills Minister
John Hayes today announced a package of new measures to make it
easier for employers to take on large numbers of apprentices.
Responding to the recommendations of a review led by the Employer
Reference Group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and
large companies, including BT and TUI Travel, Mr Hayes said that
firms that contract directly with the Government to train
apprentices will now benefit from simplified payment, reporting
and assessment requirements.
They will also receive better guidance to help them manage the
recruitment, training and assessment of apprentices more
efficiently and cost effectively.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“Apprenticeships are proving an increasingly effective training
route for young people and companies. They are a proven way to
fill skills gaps in our economy. That’s why we are boosting the
number of apprenticeships and putting them at the heart of our
Skills for Growth strategy.
“But for far too long too many businesses have been put off by
overly complex procedures and unnecessary layers of paperwork.
We’ve worked with business to cut bureaucracy and ensure the
benefits for employers, learners and the economy are maximised”.
Announcing the measures at a summit hosted by the CBI today, Mr
Hayes said:
“I’m determined that more employers and learners than ever should
have the opportunity to benefit from our unprecedented investment
in apprenticeships. Where red tape and bureaucracy deters
employers from taking on apprentices, we’ll sweep it away.
“That will give more firms access to the skills they need to
thrive, creating new jobs and new growth, and it will give many
more individuals better prospects and the chance to gain a real
stake in society.”
Key aspects of the action plan for cutting red tape for employers include:
A pilot for over 20 large employers who have volunteered to
trial “payment by outcomes” which will eliminate a number of data
returns and audit requirements. Providing an online plain-English
toolkit for employers that clearly explains the end-to-end
processes employers need to undertake for
apprenticeships.Streamlining contracting arrangements.A commitment
to no “in year” changes to contracting arrangements.A more
proportionate approach to audit and inspection - reducing
preparation time for employers. Greater use of electronic
information, thus reducing paperwork.A more streamlined
certification process.
Susan Anderson, CBI Director for Education & Skills
policy, said:
“We welcome today’s report and the Government’s commitment to
expanding apprenticeship schemes. Apprenticeships are vital to
developing the skills that support economic growth and many
employers already deliver excellent programmes.
“Cutting bureaucracy will support even more businesses to become
involved and these recommendations set out the right path for
reform. They recognise that employers are primarily concerned with
the day-to-day running of their businesses, and that they are
committed to offering high quality training as their reputation
and business success depends on this. We will work with government
to take these plans forward”.
BT Director of Education and Skills Andy Palmer said:
"For the last year BT has worked as part of BIS’s
Employer Reference Group to improve the system and reduce the
burdens on employers. The changes we are proposing will have a
significant impact on bureaucracy rather than merely tinkering at
the edges.”
The Government has put the expansion of a high-quality,
employer-led apprenticeships programme at the heart of a reformed
skills system. This year’s budget included an additional £150m to
deliver 50,000 additional apprenticeships, and in July the Prime
Minister announced details of a new Higher Apprenticeships Fund to
help key industries including advanced manufacturing and
engineering develop the advanced skills needed to drive growth and
create an ownership society.
Further measures to cut red tape for small and medium sized
employers taking on apprentices will be unveiled this autumn as
part of the Government's plan for growth.
Notes to editors:
The Government is creating the biggest and best apprenticeship
programme in the country's history, with funding in place
for some 360,000 apprenticeships this year alone, and an increased
emphasis on progression to advanced and higher level vocational
qualifications as well as basic skills for employment.
Apprenticeships are available for more than 200 job roles.The
reforms announced today are in response to a report from the
Employer Reference Group (produced by the Learning and Skills
Improvement Service), also published today, which sets out
recommendations for tackling the bureaucracy faced by large direct
contract employers delivering Apprenticeships. The report
“Employer Reference Group – Simplifying end‑to‑end apprenticeship
processes for employers” is available at www.lsis.org.ukThe
recommendations and actions arising from this project will be
taken forward by the Skills Funding Agency and National
Apprenticeship Service, working with BIS and DfE, Ofsted, Ofqual
and other partners including employers and their representative
bodies.BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press
notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It
also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See
http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Oliver Fry
oliver.fry@bis.gsi.gov.uk