According to the National Apprenticeship Service, employers who take on apprentices can benefit by gaining talented new recruits who are eager and motivated, while saving money on training and recruitment costs.
In 2010/11 there was a 64% increase in the take-up of apprenticeships compared with the previous year. However, critics said that too much of the Government funding available for apprenticeship schemes was being targeted at existing employees rather than unemployed young people looking to get onto the career ladder.
At the end of last year, the Government announced it would be introducing a series of reforms to strengthen apprenticeships, such as monitoring employers who run apprenticeship schemes to make sure they include a rigorous amount of “job-relevant” training.
Here you can find the latest case studies, guidance and news on apprenticeships…
Apprentices
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...
‘Don’t fund level 6 and 7 apprenticeships’ say learning providers
Training providers have called on the government to remove the highest and degree level apprenticeships from the scope of funding...
How can employers make apprenticeships work?
National miminum wage rate quick reference guide
How to make use of fixed-term, part-time, training/apprenticeship, casual or nil hours contracts (XpertHR subscription required)
