Apprenticeships

APP 79

Written evidence submitted by North Yorkshire County Council

- 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 for Education)

Difficult to measure the success of NAS as although the level of engagement with NAS has increased over time, we are unable to determine if this has had a significant impact on increased participation. (Apprenticeship volumes have risen but it is difficult to determine whether this is due to NAS or provider/ employer own efforts). Currently NAS are very involved in a number of Apprenticeship projects the LA is taking forward and it would be difficult for us to engage all partners without the support of NAS.

Bridging the gap - no noticeable difference in bridging the gap between BIS and DfE. Our view would be that more effort should be made to link NAS and SFA more effectively so that LAs have a clearer picture of apprenticeship provision.

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

Extra funding is always welcome, however it should be targetted at ensuring apprenticeships are of sufficient quality. However it is good to see that Higher Level apprenticeships are high on the agenda.

Funding would be better spent used in engagement techniques to increase the provision and give organisations greater autonomy to manage their own programmes.

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

The current focus on increasing the minimum length of programme is to be welcomed, although this should apply also to 19+ provision. Opportunities to access Level 3 apprenticeships are important in terms of progression, particularly for those students who would usually consider the A level route. In the light of Raising Participation Agenda there will have to be an increased breadth of provision to meet learner needs.

The minimum number of hours (30hpw) for apprenticeships are restricting the number of opportunities that are available. North Yorkshire County Council has a mandatory recruitment process for all vacancies within the lower salary bands. In the current climate there are a significant number of opportunities for less than 30hpw due to budgets cuts, and these opportunities for conversion to apprenticeships are being missed due to the minimum hours requirement.

There is not enough emphasis, or flexibility, for pre-apprenticeship programmes to support the apprenticeship agenda. More emphasis/suppore is required from education establishments.

- Apprenticeship 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?

We believe that apprenticeship bonuses to employers will encourage take up of apprenticeships, particularly by SMEs, as long as it is not an overly bureaucratic process and the provider network is ready to respond.

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

The funding arrangements possibly need reviewing in that 19-24 year old unemployment is rising. Employers may consider it an added financial burden to pay provider contributions as well as a wage during the current economic climate.

3 February 2012