Push for more Apprenticeships must continue, says AELP’s election manifesto

4 million quality apprenticeships are a feasible commitment for a new government to adopt during the next Parliament, according to the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) whose training provider members deliver the programme.

The call in AELP’s short election manifesto, published today (see below), comes despite the major issues surrounding the implementation of the current government’s apprenticeship reforms that are associated with the new levy.

AELP says that the levy should be retained and in England, its proceeds should continue to only fund apprenticeships rather than other forms of training as well.

With evidence growing that many large levy paying employers are planning to reclaim their levy to fund high and degree level apprenticeships, a new government should show its commitment to social mobility by ensuring apprenticeships remain available at levels 2 and 3.

AELP believes that the levy proceeds will fall well short of being able to fund the apprenticeships of SME employers and therefore it wants the government to guarantee funding of at least £1bn a year for non-levy paying SMEs to meet their apprenticeship needs.

AELP CEO Mark Dawe said:

‘Major increases in the number of apprenticeships and continued improvements in the quality of their delivery can happen at the same time. More starts doesn’t mean poorer quality if employers and providers can work closely with the new Institute for Apprenticeships on a measured approach to new standards and assessment in the programme.’

AELP’s manifesto contains other recommendations for government-funded employment and skills programmes which respond to the skills and migratory control challenges that Brexit may pose.

ENDS

Contact Aidan Relf on 07710 305182

General Election 2017

AELP Manifesto for Skills and Employment

The Ongoing Importance of Skills, Magnified Post Brexit

Brexit and the Industrial Strategy underline the need for taking bold steps towards a new future skills landscape for our country. This requires investment in Apprenticeships, other work based training and technical education to achieve not just increased productivity, but also social mobility.

About AELP

Members of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) support employers in the delivery of over 75% of apprenticeships in England and they deliver other publicly funded skills and employment programmes. The majority of AELP’s 800 members are independent private, not-for-profit and voluntary sector training and employment services organisations with employers, universities, FE colleges, schools and end point assessment organisations joining AELP in increasing numbers.

The AELP Manifesto at a glance

AELP is seeking commitment from a new government over the next Parliament to:

1. Deliver 4 million quality Apprenticeship starts
2. Retain the recently launched Apprenticeship Levy with its proceeds being used to fund Apprenticeships only
3. A firm long term commitment to Apprenticeships being available at levels 2 and 3 to support social mobility
4. Guaranteed funding of at least £1bn a year for non-levy paying SMEs for their Apprenticeship needs
5. Ensure that the whole Apprenticeship system is underpinned by quality but allows innovation and evolution and is backed up by rigorous end assessment to ensure that national standards are achieved by all
6. A fully demand-led skills funding system, driven by and reflecting the needs of employers and learners
7. Traineeships and employment programmes that reduce the benefits bill and create opportunities for people of all ages
8. Good applied English, Maths and Digital Skills across learners of all ages and ending the failed GCSE resits policy
9. Embracing the expertise and experience of independent training providers in the implementation of the Technical and Professional Education reforms
10. Suspension of current Adult Education Budget procurement until ready to re-procure the entire £1.5bn budget to avoid disruption and deliver consistency.

Ensuring Apprenticeships are the heartbeat of tackling our country’s skills needs

AELP believes we need party manifesto pledges that secure and clearly support:

1. Level 2 Apprenticeships that provide a vital starting point for many learners to get on the ladder of opportunity valued by many employers as often their main form of training
2. SMEs joining large employers on The Apprenticeship Service funding system from 1 January 2018, thereby freeing the programme of government funding agency control of the provider supply market and putting employers fully in the driving seat
3. Apprenticeship funding rates that make taking on 16 to 18 year old apprentices attractive to employers and training providers through additional funding to reflect the additional effort required
4. Quality Apprenticeships up to and including level 7 backed by good assessment and a single inspection framework.

Contact AELP CEO Mark Dawe ([email protected]) Web: www.aelp.org.uk Twitter: @AELPUK

Download AELPs Manifesto General Election 2017 here.