Apprenticeships

APP 26

Written evidence submitted by Cogent Sector Skills

Executive Summary

1. Cogent Sector Skills Council recognises and supports the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils written submission to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee inquiry into Apprenticeships. In addition we would also like to make the following recommendations. We urge the Government to use the ambition and vision of Apprenticeships, to ensure accessibility to both new and existing employees. Cogent Sector Skills Council would like to make the following recommendations.

· Apprenticeships are open to all employees’ not just new employees.

· Training Providers deliver the correct Apprenticeship Framework for the occupational area.

· A relaxation of Key/Functional Skills requirements in Higher Apprenticeships.

· Apprenticeships bonus/incentives should be made available for all small employers including Apprenticeship Training Associations.

· Clarification is needed around the funding of qualifications in Higher Apprenticeship Frameworks.

2. Further details on the above recommendations are listed below.

Background

3. Cogent is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Nuclear, Oil and Gas, Petroleum and Polymer Industries. We are licensed by Government to help employers in these science-using industries to address their workforce development needs so that they can compete successfully.

Response to questions and recommendations

4. The Cogent response is primarily centred around the needs of employers within our sector.

How successful has the National Apprenticeship Service been since it was created in April 2009? Has it helped bridge the gap between the two funding Departments? (BIS and Department of Education)

 

5. Apprenticeship programmes should be open to all employees and not just aimed at the 16 to 24 year old market. The skills needs of the science based industries are not just restricted to one particular age group. The science based industries require a formal structured programme that provides occupational competence and knowledge right across the industrial workforce.

Is the extra funding promised by the Coalition Government necessary for apprenticeships? How can this funding best be spent?

6. In some cases Apprentices are signed up to an inappropriate Apprenticeship Framework to ease delivery by the training provider and attract the Apprenticeship funding. These Apprentices do not receive the required occupational competences as the structure of the apprenticeship programme is too general. Consideration should be given to a funding provision to assist delivery of specialised Apprenticeship Frameworks in geographically challenging areas for economically important industries.

Are apprenticeships of a high enough quality to benefit apprentices and their employers? Should there be more level 3 apprenticeships?

7. A review of the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards England requirement for Key/Functional Skills in Higher Apprenticeships should be undertaken. At present the current requirements are not flexible enough to accredit prior learning in this area.

Apprenticeships bonuses - how should they function? Will they encourage the involvement of more small and medium sized businesses to take on apprentices? If not what will?

8. Apprenticeships bonuses/incentives for employers should be made available for all small and medium sized employers including those working in partnership with Apprenticeship Training Associations.

Is the current funding arrangement for training of apprentices of 100% for 16 – 18 year olds and 50% for 19 - 24 year olds appropriate?

9. Urgent clarification is needed on the funding arrangements for Higher Apprenticeships and in particular the current split between QCF qualifications and those funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The current funding arrangements are confusing to all. Higher Apprenticeships should be funded by the same funding agency as the current level 2 and level 3 Apprenticeships. Foundation Degrees that form part of a Higher Apprenticeship should be funded under the same requirements as the QCF qualifications within that Framework.

1 February 2012