Tougher standards
introduced by Skills Minister to drive up quality Apprenticeships
will last for a minimum of 12 months guaranteeing improvements in
training and workplace learning, Skills Minister John Hayes
announced today.
The new standards will come into force for all age groups from
August 2012, subject to consultation with providers and employers,
as a further measure to drive up quality.
For those aged 19 and over apprenticeships will last between one
to four years unless prior learning or attainment has been
recorded. Apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds will last a minimum
of 12 months without exception.
Mr Hayes said:
“The momentum we have created by building the apprenticeship
brand has brought about unprecedented success for the
apprenticeship programme.
“The majority of apprenticeships are the gold standard in
vocational training. They boost individuals’ life chances and
build the skills that drive growth.
"They also provide a great return on public money. This
has been independently recognised with the National Audit Office
finding that apprenticeships generating £18 for the economy for
every £1 spent.
“But we must be relentless in our drive to ensure all
apprenticeships are as good as the best, to identify and root out
any instances of poor quality provision, and to raise the bar on standards.
“We are taking strong and decisive action to tackle short
duration so all apprentices receive high quality training and
workplace learning setting them on the road to a long, rewarding
career.”
David Way, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service
(NAS), said:
“I am pleased that we have taken time to get the best possible
way forward on apprenticeship duration so that we can ensure
confidence in all apprenticeships. We listened very carefully to
messages from colleges and training providers at the National
Quality Conference last week.
“A clear expectation has been set that an apprenticeship involves
a significant amount of new learning delivered over sufficient
time to practice and master skills in employment. There is greater
flexibility here than for younger apprentices because older
apprentices typically have more skills they have acquired.
“We need to ensure that all apprenticeships are high quality. By
ensuring they last between one and four years, we are not only
giving employers what they say they want but also giving
confidence back to everyone who has questioned the growth in
shorter apprenticeships.”
This announcement builds upon a series of major reforms announced
in recent months to drive up quality and standards and ensure
every apprenticeship meets the rigorous standards apprentices and
employers expect.
These include:
· National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the Skills Funding
Agency’s comprehensive review of all short duration programmes has
already resulted in significant improvements to many
apprenticeships and the withdrawal of inadequate sub-contracted provision
· New safeguards are being put in place to strengthen monitoring,
reporting and subcontracting arrangements, including requiring
subcontractors to be regulated through the Register of Training
Organisations in the same way as prime contractors
· New contracts will ensure that training providers not only act
according to regulations, but also within the spirit of the
apprenticeship programme
· A new ‘enquiry panel’ has been established, reporting directly
to the Minister, to manage poor quality providers as soon as they
are reported.
Also today a new grant to encourage small and medium sized
businesses to take on apprentices will be made available.
The NAS is offering up to 40,000 Apprenticeship Grants to small
and medium sized businesses (employing less than 250 employees),
to the value of £1,500, that recruit their first apprentice aged
16 to 24 years old.
Notes to Editors
1. In December John Hayes announced that from August 2012, all
apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds will be for a minimum of 12
months. Today’s announcement extends this to 19+ apprenticeships,
unless prior learning is recorded and funding reduced accordingly.
2. All apprenticeships are expected to be between one to four
years, in line with the duration stated in the individual
framework. However, we recognise that some adults may have prior
learning and attainment which means they may be able to complete
their apprenticeship in less time. So we will introduce a minimum
duration of 12 months, unless prior learning is recorded and
reduced funding is claimed as a result.
3. No provider will be able to claim the full amount of funding
otherwise available for an apprenticeship completing in less than
12 months. Even with proven and documented prior learning, the
duration must never fall below 6 months - providers will not ever
be able to claim the achievement element of an Apprenticeship with
a duration of less than six months in any circumstances.
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