Nine out of ten employers demand greater say in spending apprenticeship allowance, says City & Guilds Group

Today (10 Jan) The City and Guilds Group is launching its latest report, ‘Flex for Success?’, which will reveal 92% of levy-paying employers want to see greater flexibility in how they can spend their apprenticeship allowance, with the rigidity of the current system holding many back.

Below is a reaction to the findings from Browne Jacobson, one of the first UK law firms to introduce apprenticeships in the legal profession.

In response to the research findings Sally Swift, Legal Services Manager at law firm Browne Jacobson, said:

“The Governments introduction of the apprentice levy was supposed to create opportunities for UK business to invest more in learning, training and developing apprentices.

“The rigid parameters that currently exist are stifling progress and innovation of how to use the levy to boost new apprentice numbers and developing skills, which surely was as the heart of the original reforms.

“There needs to be improved flexibility.

“The 20% off the job training needs relaxing, the Institute of Apprenticeships need to be quicker at improving new standards, compulsory apprentice guidance in schools should be introduced to promote what could be a fantastic opportunity to become a master craftsman in a chosen field and there needs to be more of a strategic partnership between education and industry.”

About Browne Jacobson: A national law firm offering specialist legal advice in the public, private, education, health and insurance sectors from its offices in Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester and Nottingham.