Mark Whitehead 22 May 2019

Apprenticeship system ‘failing’ to make progress, MPs warn

Local government leaders have backed sharp criticism by MPs of the current apprenticeship system.

Mark Hawthorne of the Local Government Association said efforts to provide good quality apprenticeships were being hampered and called for greater flexibility.

The House of Commons public accounts committee said the Government had failed to make progress on its plan to boost apprenticeships and warned it would not reach its target of three million starts by March next year.

They said the Department for Education's focus on higher-level apprenticeships and levy-paying employers increased the risk that minority groups, disadvantaged areas and smaller employers would miss out on training opportunities.

Cllr Hawthorne said: 'Councils have warned the current system is hampering local efforts to boost apprenticeships and are calling for greater flexibility in order to deliver good-quality apprenticeships.

'Considerable barriers are restricting employers from spending their levy funds.

'Apprenticeships standards, against which the levy must be spent, have been delayed or are yet to be approved, including in adult care, early years and building control.

'The Government needs to pause plans to begin clawing back unspent levy funding this month as a result.

'This will only serve to hold employers and the workforce back and risks exacerbating the nation’s skills crisis.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Procurement Category Manager

Wakefield Council
£49,764.00 to £52,805.00, Grade 12
Do you want to become a member of a successful Corporate Procurement Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recovery Support Worker

Wakefield Council
Grade 7 - Grade 8, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Join a first of its kind specialist children’s home that has just been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted 2 years running. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Children's Residential Worker

Wakefield Council
£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
We are looking for a Full Time Children's Residential Workers to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £37,035 per annum
Are you a Maintenance Operative looking to further develop your skills and experience Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Bricklayer Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £30,559
Are you a qualified Bricklayer looking to expand your skills in a rewarding maintenance role? Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner