A review of English and maths functional skills rules in apprenticeships is underway, according to the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP).
The government announced a series of apprenticeship reforms following the prime minister’s speech at the Labour party conference this week.
On the cards are apprenticeships shorter than 12 months, foundation apprenticeships and the end of some level 7 funding through the levy.
But there was no announcement from the Department for Education on the future of functional skills requirements, which are constantly flagged as among the biggest barriers for apprentices completing their programme.
Under current rules, apprentices must achieve level 1 English and maths functional skills qualifications if they are on a level 2 apprenticeship and did not pass the qualifications at GCSE. And, if a similar learner is on a level 3 or higher apprenticeship, they must achieve functional skills at level 2.
In its response to this week’s announcements, the AELP said that, as part of government apprenticeship reforms, officials are “reviewing the maths and English requirements”. FE Week understands this message was communicated to the training provider membership body through a separate DfE briefing.
Former Labour shadow skills minister Toby Perkins did commit to such a review back in March 2023.
There are hopes among training providers that the DfE will relax functional skills rules to some degree in the coming months.
The DfE told FE Week: “As with all government policy, we continue to keep this policy under review to ensure it is striking the right balance and supports all apprentices to develop their skills.”
Maths and English functional skills is the biggest issue of all if you talk to apprenticeship providers. Significant change is necessary not tinkering.
If you want to increase both participation and successful completion of apprenticeships then do this:
Remove qualification requirement for 23plus and anybody on higher level apprenticeships
Add into the apprenticeship standard KSB’s specific evidence requirements for demonstration of occupational competency in English and maths in performing the specified role (s) covered by the Standard.
For apprentices under 23years, reform maths functional skill qualification so that the content is mapped and evidenced to the occupational requirements of the level of the “average apprenticeship”
Why lower even further the acceptable and required standards of working life, professional or not? We are indeed at the stage of equity at any cost.
Agreed with Martin,
Yes it does seem we are racing to the bottom. There needs to be radical change at school, not after school.
Ditch subjects Geography, French , German unless they already have command of English and Maths. Alternatively bring in vocational subjects Engineering, Construction, Digital and related Maths and English at school.
Agree with Alan 100%
I’m not sure that it’s a “race to the bottom” at all. The reality is that apprentices are often excellent in their role but lack the skills / ability to complete Level 2 maths (in particular). Its not actually that they lack any ability, but they have been let down by the system of education at school; trying to fix many years worth of unachievement during an apprenticeship, when they are already working full-time, completing their apprenticeship, and have other demands, is a little unrealistic.
I feel that the functional skills should not be linked to the apprenticeship outcome. I am not suggesting that maths / English should not be covered, but making the outcome of an apprenticeship completely reliant on something else (from a different funding stream too) is not helpful.
I also feel that providers should / do work hard with employers to find out what maths / English skills are required in the actual job role and then a programme of vocational (functional) skills can be built up with that in mind. The skills that the apprentice learns in the workplace can be used to supplement learning in English and maths – a point noted in an ETF report back in 2020 (Maths and English in Apprenticeships: Guide to support teaching, learning and assessment. https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maths_and_English_in_Apprenticeships_Guide_Jan_20_4-3-1.pdf).
English and maths are essential skills in life and in apprenticeships. The sector has worked hard to build the status of apprenticeships and to identify them as a real alternative to going to Uni. The level 7 programmes have woken up parents and candidates that you can achieve degree equivalents via apprenticeship routes. I believe the apprenticeship brand benefits by saying you can become a lawyer or an accountant via an apprenticeship routes. In my opinion this adds a great deal of kudos and stature to the apprenticeship brand at all levels.
Removing these higher levels and downgrading the need to achieve English and maths is a huge risk to the apprenticeship brand. Alternative programmes not damaging established apprenticeships please.