The University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) have issued a statement warning that Labour’s new apprenticeship funding plans are dangerous for the industry
UVAC, in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, have published a report exploring the critical purpose of training apprenticeships for future jobs, and warning that the new apprenticeship funding plans could remove value.
The report also explores the importance of older apprentices, and the impact that level 7 apprenticeships have on firms.
“We must face the reality that the majority of the future workforce are already in work”
The report highlights that adult apprentices are just as important as young apprentices, stating that employing and training older apprentices as well as young is good for the individual, the employer, and the economy.
The report also notes that it is important to not think of apprentices as just young people, or something that is done only at the start of a career. They can also be taken by older workers wishing to upskill, or move into a new industry or sector.
It is these older apprentices that the new apprenticeship funding plans could be a detriment to.
The new apprenticeship funding plans could undermine their value
Charlynne Pullen, principal research fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, and author of the report, said: “The current apprenticeship system has significant benefits for adults and their employers, at all levels and all stages of a career. Young people, and those with less work experience, need additional support, and new foundation apprenticeships are a welcome recognition of that. But we should not lose sight of the support needed for adults to progress, to upskill, to reskill, and to learn new skills at a range of points in their career.
Dr. Mandy Crawford-Lee, chief executive for UVAC, said: “The government’s policy aims to reduce levy funding of level 7 apprenticeships is a major blow to construction employers, the wider economy and the skills development of both senior level staff and those in specialist roles such as technology.
“It will largely affect those businesses with apprentices aged over 25 that rely on the current financial support to meet the cost of upskilling employees to be effective managers, business leaders or occupy more technical roles via level 7 and master’s degree apprenticeships.
“Given this government’s current focus is economic growth and addressing social mobility, it makes no sense to introduce policy that could undermine it. Degree apprenticeships at level 7 are proven to enhance social mobility, by giving individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to follow a pathway into the professions, gain access to higher education and also achieve higher-paid, senior-level positions further in their career.
“Many people from underserved communities could now not realise their full earning potential as a result and miss out on opportunities to become highly skilled in their chosen profession.”
