1. Apprenticeships Trransforming the future Clare Bonson

2. Contents Why Apprenticeships? The policy context Recent progress The future direction Higher Apprenticeships

3. Why Apprenticeships? “Learning through practise alongside and under the guidance of an expert practitioner is the most effective way to transmit professional experience and skills from one generation to the next” Dr Nyahn ‘rediscovering apprenticeships’ Springer 2009

4. 24 November 20154 Recent Progress The size of the programme continues to grow strongly 442,700 starts in 2010/11 All apprentices now have an employer 1 and receive a wage All age programme, covers a wide range of industries and job roles Available to new workers and existing employees Employer and learner satisfaction with their experience is improving 2 SASE brings in a minimum standard for Apprenticeships in England Online Apprenticeship Vacancies service makes application and recruitment easy Access to Apprenticeships – New Pathway 1 Except for agreed alternatives – see 2011/12 Apprenticeship Funding Requirements 2 According to Framework for Excellence survey results

5. 24 November 20155 Government Policy Updates – The Skills Strategy Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning – John Hayes MP – launched Skills Strategy in October 2010 “Our overall intention is to boost the supply of genuine, high quality, employer-owned Apprenticeship places at Level 3” Refresh due shortly Apprenticeships strengthened as main element of Skills policy Growth in Advanced and Higher levels prioritised

6. 24 November 20156 Government Policy Updates – Plan for growth Launched at the Budget in March 2011 Focus on key sectors including Advanced Manufacturing, Creative and Digital economies and Life Sciences A new ‘STEM’ focus NEETs: an additional 10,000 starts for (18-24) job seekers each year Higher Apprenticeships: a development fund launched in July to generate 10,000 additional places by 2015

7. What is an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are frameworks of nationally recognised qualifications that offer a mixture of work based training and education. An apprentice: – Is an employee earning a wage – Works alongside experienced staff to gain job specific skills – Receives training to work towards the qualifications in their framework which includes: Theoretical knowledge – understanding the vocational area and subject theory Competence – assessment that they can perform the core job tasks well and consistently Transferable skills (English, Maths and option for ICT) Personal learning and thinking skills (PLTS) – learning to learn and work in teams Employee rights and responsibilities (ERR) – what does it mean to be an employee? Training can be undertaken on a day release basis or be delivered on- site by a college or a private training provider.

8. The Higher Apprenticeship Ambition Where are we? The plan for growth – sustainable, long-term economic growth £25 million Higher Apprenticeship programme launched Ambition for 10,000 additional Higher Apprenticeship places Increasing growth in participation Currently 9 Higher Level frameworks (L4 & L5) 2,100 starts 2010/11

9. The Higher Apprenticeship Ambition More frameworks Employer demand and engagement / involvement Strong progression routes New entry routes to industry or profession Value for money Sustainable Collaboration TRANSFORMATION!!

10. The Higher Apprenticeship Ambition Transformation of the sector Transformation of career pathways Transformation of progression pathways Transformation of perceptions Transformation of entry points Transformation of the higher level skills base in England