Way leaves National Apprenticeship Service after SFA integration

David Way is stepping down as executive director of the National Apprenticeship Service on Friday after integrating the group with the Skills Funding Agency.

With nearly 38 years in the employment and skills sector, Mr Way is credited with helping to boost the profile of Apprenticeships as the scheme soars in popularity.

More than half a million people started an Apprenticeship last year and reforms have seen the programme become increasingly available at levels up to the equivalent of a Masters Degree.

Commenting on his departure, he said: “Over the past five years I have greatly enjoyed developing and leading the National Apprenticeship Service. I am proud of our achievements and in particular the extensive work with employers and partners from across the sector. We have together achieved significant momentum under successive Governments whose leadership, ambition and investment has been vital.

??”With the National Apprenticeship Service successfully integrated within the Skills Funding Agency and a long term reform agenda for Apprenticeships set out by the Government, I know this is the best time to hand over the reins to others. I remain a passionate ambassador and advocate for Apprenticeships and I intend to use my extensive skills and experience to continue to develop effective partnerships between business, the FE and HE sectors and with young people, their parents and schools.”

Kim Thorneywork, chief executive of the SFA that merged with the National Apprenticeship Service on 1 April, said: “David Way’s contribution to the success of the National Apprenticeship Service and the growth of high quality Apprenticeships is significant and I welcome the opportunity to build on that. My ambition is to work with employers and the sector to meet the challenges of the future and to truly make Apprenticeships work for England. I would like to thank David for his leadership, his hard work and commitment and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Natalie Thornhill

(Pictured: Outgoing National Apprenticeship Service director David Way)