Training providers
We received evidence from the Association of Learning
Providers, which represents independent learning providers throughout
England, and from the Association of Colleges, which represents
further education colleges in England and Wales. The former was
"content with most aspects of the Bill".[54]
The latter, while welcoming "the intention to raise the status
of Apprenticeships so that they are seen as a third viable learning
pathway at levels two and three alongside Diplomas and GCSE/A
levels", was concerned that there was a "danger"
the proposals could impose "too many restrictions when what
is required is flexibility to engage employers and meet their
diverse needs. We would wish to ensure that there is still sufficient
flexibility to allow innovative models of delivery to flourish".[55]
We concur
with the Association of Colleges that the system put in place
by the draft Bill must ensure that there is flexibility to allow
training providers—further education colleges and independent
learning providers—to play a full part in the promotion
and expansion of apprenticeships and that there should be scope
for them to develop new roles such as brokers and the provision
of support geared to the needs of small businesses.
Training providers also raised:
a) the need to be consulted about the specification
of apprenticeship standards[56]
which is linked to the need to safeguard quality, where we see
the training providers having a key role—we deal with these
issues in chapter 5; and
b) the capacity of training providers to meet
the training needs of every person exercising his or her right,
under the proposed legislation, to an apprenticeship. Mr Dunford,
Chairman of the Association of Learning Providers, told us that
the capacity was not yet available and that there "needs
to be some capacity building".[57]
We draw to the attention
of the Government the concerns of the learning providers about
their capacity to provide enough training for apprenticeships.
We invite the Government to explain, in responding to this Report,
what plans it has to encourage greater provision of training,
to meet the needs of those exercising their right to apprenticeships
under the draft Bill.
Is the draft legislation necessary?
While the evidence we received showed support for
the draft Bill, there is an open question whether legislation
is necessary. The draft Bill would put much of the current arrangements
on a statutory basis. But, as we have noted, the current arrangements
have produced a substantial expansion in the number of apprenticeships
without the need for legislation. Mr Dunford from the Association
of Learning Providers pointed out that "I do not remember
anyone saying that we needed an Apprenticeship Bill before it
happened".[58]
One theme running through the evidence was the need
to improve the perception and status of apprenticeships and the
draft Bill was seen as helping to serve this end.
a) The British Chambers of Commerce believed
that: "we need […] to raise how apprenticeships are
viewed not just within business but within society as a whole.
If we are to do that to make them a real quality route through
employment, we believe that this Bill will help".[59]
b) David Way, National Director of Apprenticeships,
at the Learning and Skills Council, said that "We need the
Bill because […] we need to consolidate and put in legislation
the importance of apprenticeships for the ambitions of the country,
that is a very good thing for us to do".[60]
Use of legislation purely to show the importance
the Government, or we as a country, attach to a matter is a questionable
use of legislative process and of the House's time. The draft
Bill does, however, fulfil other purposes in our view. It would
place a duty on the Learning and Skills Council (which will pass
to the National Apprenticeship Service, when it is established)
to secure sufficient apprenticeship places to fulfil the entitlement
for each suitably qualified young person who wants one.[61]
It also makes some provision for the functions of the National
Apprenticeship Service.[62]
We conclude
that the legislation is justified as it creates a new entitlement
that every young person with the right qualifications should be
able to take up an apprenticeship and to make provision for some
of the functions of the putative National Apprenticeship Service.
The contribution that the legislation will make to the expansion,
improvement and status of apprenticeships will depend on its implementation.
From our perspective there are four key issues on
which the value of the legislation to interested parties, and
how they may use it, turns: (i) the responsiveness of the system
to the needs of employers; (ii) the role and operation of the
National Apprenticeship Service; (iii) the quality of apprenticeships;
and (iv) the rights of apprentices. Each of these issues we examine.
22 Learning and Skills Council, "Better Skills,
Better Jobs, Better Lives, The Learning and Skills Council's Annual
Report and Accounts for 2006-07", HC (2006-07) 840, 17 July
2007, p 3, World-class Apprenticeships, para 2.13 Back
23
Learning and Skills Council, "Further Education, work-based
learning and Train to Gain-LSC-funded learner outcomes in England
2006/07", Statistical First Release: ILR/SFR16, 22 May 2008 Back
24
We have not attempted to reconcile the figures for completion
rates and leavers; the numbers in Table 1 are not all "successful"
completions. Back
25
Learning and Skills Council, "Further Education, Work Based
Learning, Train To Gain and Adult & Community Learning-Learner;
Numbers in England: 2006/07: Full Year Plus, Learning and Skills
Council", 23 May 2008 Back
26
Known as Advanced Modern Apprenticeships prior to May 2004; also
known as a Level 3 apprenticeships which refers to a standard
equivalent to two A levels or a National Vocational Qualification
at Level 3. Back
27
Known as Foundation Modern Apprenticeships prior to May 2004;
also known as a Level 2 apprenticeships which refers to a standard
equivalent to five GCSEs at A*-C or a National Vocational Qualification
at Level 2. Back
28
Learning and Skills Council, "Further Education, Work Based
Learning, Train To Gain and Adult & Community Learning-Learner
Numbers in England: 2006/07", ILR/SFR14, December 2007, House
of Commons Library, "Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning
for Young People", Standard Note: SN/EP/3052, 22 October
2008 Back
29
Learning and Skills Council, "Further Education, Work Based
Learning, Train To Gain and Adult & Community Learning-Learner
Numbers in England: 2006/07", ILR/SFR14, December 2007, House
of Commons Library, "Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning
for Young People", Standard Note: SN/EP/3052, 22 October
2008 Back
30
World-class Apprenticeships, p 5 Back
31
As above Back
32
Leitch review of skills, para 66 Back
33
Leitch review of skills, p 87 Back
34
Leitch review of skills, para 5.66 Back
35
Leitch review of skills, para 5.69 Back
36
DIUS and DCSF, "Expanding Apprenticeships, developing World-Class
skills", Joint news release, 28 January 2008 Back
37
Draft Apprenticeships Bill, p 1 Back
38
Following the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, DIUS and DCFS
jointly announced plans to expand funding to the Learning and
Skills Council for Apprenticeships over the period to 2010-11
with the aim of 400,000 learners in England (281,000 aged 16-18
and 125,000 aged over 19), compared with approximately 250,000
currently (DIUS, "Ambitious plan to help boost nation's job
prospects", Press Release, 16 November 2007). In 2010-11
it is planned that funding for Apprenticeships for 16-18 year
old will total £776 million (compared with £624 million
in 2007-08) while Apprenticeships for those aged over 19 will
receive £334 million in 2010-11, compared with £275
million in 2007-08 (Learning and Skills Council, "Our statement
of priorities: Better skills, Better jobs, Better lives; The Learning
and Skills Council's priorities and key actions for 2008/09 to
2010/11", November 2007, tables 2 and 10). Back
39
World-class Apprenticeships, para 2.3 Back
40
Ev 52, para 6.7 [Edexcel] Back
41
Q 38 Back
42
Q 49 Back
43
Ev 67 [Edge Foundation] Back
44
Ev 39 [TUC] Back
45
World-class Apprenticeships, p 1 Back
46
Ev 68 Back
47
Department for Education and Skills, Modern Apprenticeships:
The Way To Work, The Report of the Modern Apprenticeship Advisory
Committee, September 2001 Back
48
Department for Education and Skills, Modern Apprenticeships:
The Way To Work, The Report of the Modern Apprenticeship Advisory
Committee, September 2001, para 3.1 Back
49
World-class Apprenticeships, para 3.16 Back
50
Qq 44-45 [Mr Frost, Ms Seaman] Back
51
Q 135; see also Appendix 1, Error! Reference source not found.. Back
52
Q 61; see also Ev 37, para 6 [Association of Learning Providers]. Back
53
Q 61 Back
54
Ev 37 Back
55
Ev 69, para 1 Back
56
Ev 37, para 2 [Association of Colleges] Back
57
Q 56 [Mr Dunford] Back
58
Q 54 [Mr Dunford] Back
59
Q 2 Back
60
Q 96 Back
61
Draft Apprenticeships Bill, clause 21 Back
62
Draft Apprenticeships Bill, clauses 21-22 Back
