Simplifying apprenticeships
31 May 2022
The Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency has shared plans to improve the apprenticeships system from August 2022.
Alex Burghard, the minister for skills said: “We now want to focus on making the system as simple and user-friendly as possible, reducing bureaucratic burdens on employers and providers and giving apprentices the best possible experience.”
Changes which are expected to take place from August include:
- More focus on provider assessment of prior learning experience. Through the funding of more robust upfront assessments, some apprentices will be able to cut out training they don’t need and will become qualified more quickly.
- The introduction of consistent baseline for training outside of work. By specifying the number of hours a full-time apprentice must spend in training, reporting will be simplified and apprentices who work different hours will be treated fairly. More time can be spent working for employers as long as the minimum training hours are being met.
- English and Maths requirements will be changed so that apprentices can focus on attaining level 1 before level 2. Apprenticeships will not automatically need to attempt level 2 if they are starting a level 2 apprenticeship.
Any feedback or suggestions on the draft apprenticeship rules should be sent to [email protected] by 24 June 2022. A final version of the rules will be published in July.
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