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Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee FRSA Chief Executive for the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) reacts to news that Government are contemplating the axing of level 7 apprenticeships Government is still to set out detailed plans for the new growth and skills levy, but shorter programmes and foundation apprenticeships are now (seemingly) in policy. Employers are also being 'asked' to invest more in younger workers and consider funding level 7 provision outside of the Levy. In light of today's earlier suggestion UVAC is sharing the final letter which was sent out from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) led Higher Level Skills Group to Baroness Smith of Malvern as Minister for Skills. https://lnkd.in/eK8_5-pb In addition, available to download is a briefing produced at the end of 2023 which sets out an analysis of the vital economic impact of level 6 and level 7 apprenticeships in an 'all age, all level' system, in case it's useful for sharing with your stakeholders and in conversation about the excellent benefits of apprenticeship progression into the professions, up to and including level 7. https://lnkd.in/enUMH6A7

Join us this Thursday, September 5, from 2-3:00 PM EST at the National Association of Counties webinar, "Growing the Early Care and Education Workforce through Apprenticeships." Our Project Manager Marjorie Cohen will be presenting alongside our partners at ECEPTS! The webinar will focus on how counties are leveraging apprenticeship programs to expand child care services and boost local economies. Early care and education (ECE) providers are often referred to as the workforce behind the workforce, as their work enables parents to pursue careers and further their education. However, the ECE sector faces significant challenges with high turnover rates and recruitment difficulties, largely due to low wages and limited benefits. Apprenticeships offer a powerful solution, allowing ECE professionals to gain additional education and credentials while receiving fair compensation and support throughout their learning journey. Register now at https://lnkd.in/gZJ42aym. #ECEWorkforce #ECE #EarlyChildhood #RegisteredApprenticeship #WorkforceDevelopment #InnovationInEducation #ApprenticeshipUSA

The State of Apprenticeships in California: Growth and Learnings from the Golden State Jobs for the Future (JFF)'s new report on apprenticeships finds that manufacturing, information technology, barbers/ cosmetology, and health care apprenticeships together saw an increase of over 5,500 apprentices from 2018 to 2023. Most of the growth in the last five years occurred in non-traditional (non-building trades and non-firefighting) apprenticeships which grew from 13,602 to 24,336 and now make up a quarter of all apprenticeships in California. The most significant increases in apprenticeships over the last five years were in manufacturing (473%), health care (400%), barbers and cosmetologists (95%), and IT (45%). The top barriers to apprenticeship growth in California are access to sustainable funding and employer engagement. Innovations in employer engagement, apprenticeship models, and funding streams are demonstrating early successes, but need to be replicated at scale. Where there are workforce shortages, employers need to understand that part of their role is nurturing pathways into employment. Apprenticeships are a key strategy for developing our health care workforce! READ REPORT HERE: https://lnkd.in/gVpTyNc4

Another reminder that ITPs are leading the way in apprenticeships not only for large employers who pay the apprenticeship levy but also for the 98% of employers who do not pay the levy. Overall ITPs deliver 2 in 3 apprenticeships here in England: they provide 65% of provision for levy-funded employers and 66% for non-levy paying employers. Some will say that ITPs only focus on levy-payers - very happy to bust that myth. #SkillsMeansGrowth #ITPs #AskAshworth #EmployerLed AELP

Read It Again: Read the key takeaways from last month's National Youth Apprenticeship Summit, which focused on how to scale youth apprenticeship.

When I took up office in 2020, 5,000 people registered as apprentices in the year. New figures today show we have now reached a new record! Last year, we reached a record 8,714 apprentices registering - a 63% increase. We are meeting our craft targets and next year, we will roll out 17 new programmes in really exciting areas. I have spent the past few years advocating for a change in mindsets around apprenticeships. I have visited 80 secondary schools in a year encouraging students to take up this third level route. We have worked to put in supports for employers and for apprentices. We have set up a new National Apprenticeship Office. We have dramatically expanded capacity in training centres. And we have published an apprenticeship action plan with clear action and timelines to drive progress. And it is working. We are seeing record numbers, we are seeing an expansion in apprenticeships available and we are seeing more education providers and employers get involved. Crucially, these figures help us meet our housing targets with significant number of craft apprentices registered. But they also show people are taking up are programmes outside the traditional trades. Thank you to all who work in this exciting area in third level education. Thank you to everyone who is working so hard on this crucial agenda. Lets keep going. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dQM5mMv3 Simon Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT) considers is a privilege working alongside Apprenticeship Ireland as we continue to strive to showcase the success of Tech Apprenticeships in Ireland. The concept of Apprenticeships as a means of fulfilling the needs of Tech departments with highly skilled and enthusiastic tech talent continues to grow. The question is can employers afford not to employ Tech Apprentices who have shown their commitment and enthusiasm to training and working hard in a time when retaining talent is a challenge for all. #techcareers #softwaredeveloper #computernetworking #cybersecurity #apprentices #earlycareers #techtalent

Key Messages from Plenary 1 at the AAC…. Graham Hasting-Evans NOCN told us that the Construction Apprenticeship Taskforce wants to see more Level 2 apprenticeship provision and opportunities to meet their reall skills needs and gaps, with adequate funding in place. Joseph Lennox CHA and Clara O’Donnell joined us representing apprentices, they told us they want to see a bigger focus on enrichment and pastoral support by providers, whilst encouraging employers to support providers in improving CIAG in schools specifically in relation to apprenticeships. Kate Ridley-Moy told us funding rules updates for 24/25 will see a reduction in the required regulatory of progress reviews. Work continues to improve the bureaucracy attached to on boarding employers and apprentices. However there was no commitment to timescales in improving the existing system. What are your thoughts??

National Apprenticeship Week It’s National Apprenticeship Week. Apprenticeships have grown so much over the past 10 years that they now touch virtually every aspect of our lives. This week I’d like to share what has changed in the past few years and why we think apprenticeships play such an important part in the future of the economy. Historically, apprenticeships were associated exclusively with hard hats and high-vis jackets. We wanted to make sure not only that all apprenticeships were of the highest quality, but also that they reflected our economy with its mix of services and manufacturing. The first new employer led apprenticeship standards were launched in 2014. Since then, around 5,000 businesses from every sector worked together to produce nearly 700 standards for key roles in their industry. These new apprenticeships were based on the actual jobs that those businesses need to thrive. Wind forward and there is now more choice than ever before with high-quality apprenticeships available in nearly 70% of occupations all the way from architect, to cyber security technician and film sound engineer, not forgetting traditional occupations like bricklayer, plumber, or hairdresser. I know that increasing numbers of trusts are developing their own teacher apprentices and see this as a great way to address the pressures on recruitment and giving career opportunities to their teaching assistants among others! Since 2010 we have doubled in cash terms what we spend on apprenticeships from £1.2 billion in 2010-11 to £2.5 billion in 2022-23. During that time there have been over 5.7 million people starting apprenticeships, all bringing a range of bespoke skills to help transform the economic health of this country. For too long, people have regarded university as the only route to a successful career. Now, we’ve developed our skills system so that other routes such as apprenticeships are seen as just as good as a university degree. One of the refreshing things is that they are open to absolutely anyone aged from 16 upwards: from those just starting out on a career to those who are in one already and who want to upskill or retrain as something else. This is unique for England. The blend of academic and classroom-based qualifications offers a hands-on learning experience so that people get skills on the job, building confidence and motivation.     I look forward to joining in the celebrations for this year’s Apprenticeship Week and to meeting many more of those who are part of this incredible success story. If you are involved in teaching apprenticeships, I would love to hear your views – please add your thoughts below. #nationalapprenticeshipweek

🌟 Celebrating Cross-Sector Apprenticeship Success!🌟   We're thrilled to see that a number of our Purpose Coalition members have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to promoting and developing apprenticeships across various sectors.   In a time when Sir Keir Starmer’s new government is dedicated to breaking down barriers to opportunity through education, with a special focus on high-quality apprenticeships and specialist training colleges, our celebrated members are leading the way.   Key highlights: 👩🔧 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers: Recognising excellence in providing diverse and successful apprenticeship opportunities. 👨🔧 Apprentice Ratings: Greene King, E.ON, British Gas (Centrica), Tarmac, and bp rated highly by apprentices for their exceptional programs. 🏥 Public Sector Recognition: South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust commended for their impactful schemes. 🎓 University Contributions: University of the West of England acknowledged in the top 50 training providers for their industry-aligned courses and support programs.   Congratulations to Greene King, the BBC, Southeastern Railway, and Pennon Group Plc for featuring in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list! 🎉   Purpose Coalition Chair and former Education Secretary, Rt Hon. Justine Greening said: "It’s great to see these Purpose Coalition members celebrated for the success of their apprenticeship schemes. High-quality apprenticeships can have a hugely positive impact on individuals, businesses and the wider economy as an alternative to traditional academic pathways."   And Nick Forbes CBE, Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, said: "Labour’s programme for government is one that is geared to economic growth, but that can’t be achieved without the right skills base. Apprenticeships are integral to attracting and developing the talent that exists in every part of the country and transforming it into a skilled workforce." Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e4YSVKGU   #LeadingWithPurpose #Apprenticeships #SkillsForSuccess #PurposeCoalition #BreakingBarriers #Education #EconomicGrowth #TalentDevelopment