Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship providers turn SMEs away due to levy fund shortage
A shortage of apprenticeship funding means that a quarter of smaller firms have been turned away by training providers, while...
Degree apprenticeship pay rising quicker than graduate pay
Pay for degree-level apprenticeships is rising more rapidly than that of traditional graduate roles, with more employers choosing to offer...
Apprenticeship levy has ‘failed’ to increase workplace training
The government has made an “empty promise” in saying the apprenticeship levy would increase the amount of money employers spend...
Temporary workers missing out on skills development
Almost one million temporary workers are being excluded from skills development opportunities because of a poorly-designed apprenticeships system, the Recruitment...
Apprenticeships boost social mobility in ‘cold spot’ areas
Evidence from Severn Trent shows apprenticeships can improve social mobility in addition to helping develop a skilled workforce
Three million apprenticeship starts target will be missed
The government will miss its target of getting three million apprenticeship starts by 2020, the education secretary has conceded.
How on-the-job training can accelerate school leavers’ career progression
While university is a popular choice for school leavers, well-paid vocational alternatives can also help jump start a successful career,...
MPs urge radical improvements in apprenticeships
MPs have strongly criticised the government’s apprenticeship programme, in particular its focus on higher level placements and failure to meet the needs of smaller employers.
‘Gender-neutral’ ads to encourage female STEM apprentices
The government is to consider using “gender-neutral language” in apprenticeship standards to ensure women are not deterred from training for...
Small businesses seek urgent apprenticeship reforms
The government is in danger of making apprenticeships unaffordable for smaller firms, with reforms urgently needed to curb the decline in apprentice numbers.
Lifelong learning provision is inadequate, claims Lords committee
The government must rethink its approach to lifelong learning and ensure that it educates younger people for longer working lives,...
Tesco boss: Apprenticeship levy is too inflexible
The CEO of the UK’s largest retailer has slammed the apprenticeship levy for being too inflexible and “open to abuse”.
‘Premium’ should be paid for high-value apprenticeships
Employers that offer “high value” apprenticeships should receive “premiums” from the government to encourage schemes that facilitate higher average wage...
Use or share apprenticeship levy funds, employers urged
With the deadline to use unspent apprenticeship levy funds fast approaching, employers should review their skills needs or share their...
Apprenticeship levy underpayment investigations more than double
The number of organisations being pursued by HMRC for apprenticeship levy underpayment has more than doubled in a year, as...
