Conclusions
26. We welcome the Government's intention to
expand apprenticeship, but we have a number of serious concerns:
- we remain unconvinced that the
Government's plans, including the likely level of funding, will
achieve the large increase in the number of apprenticeships that
is needed;
- the division of responsibility for apprenticeship
between two government Departments is clearly sub-optimal;
- the new National Apprenticeship Service will
have difficulty discharging its responsibilities effectively as
it will not be the initial point of contact with employers;
- a substantial increase in the staffing of the
Learning and Skills Council is required if strong growth in apprenticeship
places is to be achieved;
- the relationship between the NAS and local authorities
remains to be clarified;
- much more needs to be done to involve employers,
especially SMEs, including through providing all government funding
directly to employers;
- a strong commitment to minimum levels of off-the-job-training
is crucial;
- the continuing lack of progression from apprenticeship
to higher levels of education must be addressed;
- with the removal of Technical Certificates in
some sectors, there is a real risk of apprenticeships being perceived
as being 'dumbed down';
- action is required to ensure that schools fully
inform pupils about apprenticeship.
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