A call on the next government to commit to 4 million quality apprenticeships over the life of the next parliament has been made by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, in its new general election manifesto.

The conservatives pledged, ahead of the 2015 general election, to fund 3 million apprenticeship starts over the following five years – but the major political parties are yet to reveal their manifesto commitments for June 8.

The possibility of raising that target to 4 million, as now requested by AELP, was put by FE Week last month to apprenticeship and skills minister Robert Halfon. He countered that he “didn’t know what was going to be in the manifesto”.

AELP’s key demand comes despite a whole host of issues surrounding the implementation of apprenticeship reforms surrounding the new levy, with fears growing that it could result in a huge drop-off in small and medium sized enterprises running such training.

AELP also warned, as they launched their manifesto, that the levy proceeds will “fall well short” of being able to fund the apprenticeships of SME employers.

It therefore also wants the government to guarantee funding of at least £1 billon a year for non-levy paying SMEs to meet their apprenticeship needs.

AELP boss Mark Dawe said: “Major increases in the number of apprenticeships and continued improvements in the quality of their delivery can happen at the same time.

“More starts doesn’t mean poorer quality if employers and providers can work closely with the new Institute for Apprenticeships on a measured approach to new standards and assessment in the programme.”

A spokesperson for the organisation also said, with reference to its manifesto launch, that the levy should be retained, despite grave concerns by many providers over how it is being implemented, with proceeds continuing to only fund apprenticeships rather than other forms of training as well.

He added: “With evidence growing that many large levy paying employers are planning to reclaim their levy to fund high and degree level apprenticeships, a new government should also show its commitment to social mobility by ensuring apprenticeships remain available at [lower] levels two and three.”

It comes amid widespread concern, including from Ofsted, that quality of apprenticeships had already been sacrificed as the government drove towards its 3 million target.

FE Week editor Nick Linford pressed Mr Halfon, during the exclusive interview last month, what the level of commitment would be in this year’s conservative manifesto to apprenticeship starts.

The minister could not say for certain, but stressed: “I’m very proud that we’ve got 900,000 apprenticeships in our country at the moment. Highest on record.”

He was then asked whether the figure should be increased to 4 million, and said in response it was “a very good question”. But he would only add that he “would love millions of quality apprenticeships – definitely.”

According to government statistics published in March, there had been almost 1.3 million apprenticeship starts from 2014/15 to January this year.

 

See the full AELP manifesto below. It is calling for a new government over the next parliament to:

  1. Deliver 4 million quality apprenticeship starts
  2. Retain the apprenticeship Levy with its proceeds being used to fund apprenticeships only
  3. A firm long term commitment to apprenticeships being available at levels two and three to support social mobility
  4. Guaranteed funding of at least £1 billion a year for non-levy paying SMEs for their apprenticeship needs
  5. Ensure that the whole apprenticeship system is underpinned by quality but allows innovation and evolution and is backed up by rigorous end assessment to ensure that national standards are achieved by all
  6. A fully demand-led skills funding system, driven by and reflecting the needs of employers and learners
  7. Traineeships and employment programmes that reduce the benefits bill and create opportunities for people of all ages
  8. Good applied English, Maths and Digital Skills across learners of all ages and ending the failed GCSE resits policy
  9. Embracing the expertise and experience of independent training providers in the implementation of the Technical and Professional Education reforms
  10. Suspension of current Adult Education Budget procurement until ready to re-procure the entire £1.5 billion budget to avoid disruption and deliver consistency

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  1. Norman

    Does Halfon know anything. Let’s hope he is reshuffled out after presiding over the apprenticeship debacle. He and his civil service advisors are a disgrace.