Students struggling to access information on apprenticeships Published:
27 May 2021 Over half (55%) of students looking to apply to higher education in 2022 are interested in apprenticeships, but a lack of information is inhibiting their decision making.
New research by UCAS has found while students are increasingly more interested in apprenticeships, 22% said they have struggled to get information about them.
Almost a third (31%) of students said it was very easy to access information about university compared to just 6% who said the same about apprenticeships.
Martin Tiplady, CEO of Chameleon People Solutions, said apprenticeships are not given the recognition they deserve and are often regarded as an inferior route into work.
Benefits for employers
Benefits for employers offering approved schemes
If you’re an apprentice employer in the engineering and technology sector then you should consider asking the IET to approve your Apprenticeship Scheme. If you’re unsure how to go about setting one up, or even why you should do it, we’ve put together everything you need to know below.
Why have your Apprenticeship scheme approved?
Ensure that the apprentices gain a wide enough range of experience in engineering and business to enable them to become professionally registered as Engineering or ICT Technicians or have a good start towards Incorporated or Chartered Engineering registration.
Amanda Spielman at the 2021 Annual Apprenticeship Conference
HM Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman discussed the impact of COVID-19 and Ofsted s work at the annual Annual Apprenticeship Conference.
From:
28 April 2021 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Good morning and thank you so much for inviting me to be here. I’m delighted to have this chance to talk about apprenticeships and the work we do inspecting them.
Six years ago, I went to a fascinating one-day seminar on apprenticeships. Lorna Unwin in particular gave a talk about the history and characteristics of apprenticeships, where I took many notes. Three points really stood out for me.
On the Budget as a whole
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Mike Cherry, said: “This Budget will help many small firms with their final push through to September, but there is little here to aid job creation or help people return to work. Ensuring the newly self-employed can now access support marks a big step forward – we’re pleased our campaign has been heard – but directors, who appear to have been left out yet again, will be incredibly disappointed.”
“There’s much to welcome in this Budget for business communities across the UK. The Chancellor has listened and acted on our calls for immediate support to help struggling businesses reach the finish line of this gruelling marathon and to begin their recovery. Extensions to furlough, business rates relief and VAT reductions give firms a fighting chance not only to restart, but also to rebuild.”
Published:
01 Mar 2021 The apprenticeship levy has now failed on every measure and needs to be reformed immediately, according to the CIPD.
The professional body for HR said it believes that under current rules the levy will undermine the investment in skills and economic recovery needed following the coronavirus pandemic.
In its assessment of the levy’s performance since its launch four years ago, the CIPD found employer investment in training has declined, and far fewer apprenticeships have gone to young people.
Total apprenticeship starts have fallen too from 494,900 in 2016/17 to just 322,500 in 2019/20.
The body is now urging government for reforms in its upcoming budget on Wednesday (3 March) which would convert the current system into a more flexible training levy.