Sector Response to the Peter Lauener Institute for Apprenticeships appointment

Peter Lauener has been announced today as the Shadow Chief Executive for the Institute for Apprenticeships. The Institute for Apprenticeships is a new independent body led by employers that will lie at the heart of ensuring the quality of apprenticeships in England.

Peter will fulfil this role on a part-time basis (2 days a week) alongside his responsibilities as Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency.

So what is the sector’s response to the news?

Mark Dawe, Chief Executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) comments: “We congratulate Peter on his latest appointment – there is very little left for him to run! AELP has already highlighted that the Institute has a big task on its hands in taking forward its part of the apprenticeship reforms, especially in respect of the standards process and the widely shared concerns on end point assessment.  I’m looking forward to having a very constructive discussion with Peter on these issues because it’s vital that we protect the quality of the programme.”

 Lindsay McCurdy Chief Executive of Apprenticeships 4 England comments: 

“Apprenticeships 4 England welcomes the appointment of  Peter Lauener who has been appointed shadow chief executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships alongside his role as head of the Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency.

“This will lead to a more uniformed and comprehensive approach to Apprenticeships which will benefit the sector and businesses to support the government’s target of 3m quality apprenticeships by 2020. He will be able to apply his expertise, skills and knowledge of apprenticeships and the apprenticeship sector, to great effect in establishing the IfA in the run up to its go-live date in April next year.” 

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: “Congratulations to Peter on his appointment as Shadow Chief Executive of the new Institute of Apprenticeships.

“We look forward to supporting and working with him and his team to implement the apprenticeship and Skills Plan proposals. There is a big job to be done and we need a phased, manageable implementation which does not destabilise the system.”