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Don’t abolish 16-18 apprenticeships!

IPPR are wrong – employers do want to give 16-18-year-olds apprenticeships. The real problem is that schools won’t promote them and government won’t fund them, says Mark Dawe.

A report has been published by an influential think tank that attempts to influence ministers based on a false premise: i.e. employers aren’t interested in offering 16- to 18-year-olds apprenticeship opportunities. This has been presented in Earning and Learning, the latest report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), as a reason for doing away with the programme altogether for this age group and replacing it with a predominantly classroom-based pre-apprenticeship programme.

So let’s have a look at the hard data. It is true that the worst economic recession since the war had a negative impact on 16- to 18-year-old apprentice recruitment, but this was temporary. Businesses did look for young people with more work experience for a couple of years, but the number of apprenticeship starts recovered in 2014-15 (to 125,900) and, based on the first nine months’ figures available for 2015-16, we would expect that number to increase again this year. To add to that, employers are currently advertising over 25,000 vacancies on the Find an Apprenticeship website, with the vast majority open to the youngest age group, after legal requirements are taken into consideration.

Combine these numbers and you will really struggle to maintain that employers aren’t interested. However, the reforms mean that from next April, apprenticeships will be the only Department for Education 16-18 education and training programme not completely funded by the government when, in our view, employers should be fully subsidised for taking on these young apprentices.

What privileged and narrow world do these commentators come from?

No, the problem is not employers but the need to make more young people aware of the apprenticeship opportunities available, and not allowing them to be persuaded that apprenticeships are the wrong choice even before they have had the chance to consider all of their options. Neil Carmichael and his committee of MPs have regularly covered the issues surrounding poor careers advice in many of our schools and I’ve written about them in the next edition of FE Week.

The IPPR report further argues that apprenticeships suffer from a lack of progression at level 2. In the past it has been a challenge to persuade employers to move their successful apprentices up further levels but again, this is rapidly becoming out of date when you look at the recent increased take-up of apprenticeships at higher and degree levels. Judging by conversations between providers and large employers planning for the levy’s start, we can anticipate a further boost in numbers at level 4 and above. Part of the problem is the frameworks or standards just did not exist; again, this is being dealt with.

AELP agrees with the IPPR that there is much to commend in the Sainsbury review but neither the review nor the government’s accompanying Skills Plan recommended the abandoning of 16-18 apprenticeships or the introduction of a new pre-apprenticeship programme, when we already have traineeships. They probably recognised that for young people who have been disengaged and demotivated at school, it is not a good idea to force them into a classroom for another two years.

Many industries need and want a level 2 starting point and therefore it would be a denial of social justice to disallow a 16-year-old the opportunity to gain knowledge and proper experience of work. Moreover, due to failings in the schools system, many 16-year-olds need to start at level 2 yet some opinion-formers seem bent on punishing them further. Some even argue that there are no skills developed moving from entry level or level 1 through to level 2. What privileged and narrow world do these commentators come from?

We should be debating what is in the best interests of young people based on evidence rather than institutionally-biased proposals. Brexit and likely controls on migration also mean that it would be madness to starve employers of young people who can earn while they learn. Instead we need to get on with implementing what has already been proposed by the government.

Mark Dawe is chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers

Outstanding Ofsted for Fashion Retail Academy

A glowing ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report has been published today on independent training provider the Fashion Retail Academy.

Inspectors returned grade one verdicts across the board, with managers and governors praised for establishing “a culture of excellence that results in very high achievement for learners”.

The performance of the London-based provider was an improvement on the grade two-overall Ofsted verdict from its previous inspection in 2009.

Principal Lee Lucas said: “We are delighted at the recognition of the unique and pioneering nature of the FRA.

“This would not be possible without the support of our employer and retail partners along with our dedicated and passionate staff.”

The provider, which has charitable status, opened in 2005 as a joint venture between the government and fashion retail.

It was given a mission is to develop and inspire talent for a specialist career in that industry.

At the time of inspection, approximately 900 learners were studying full-time courses from level two to four.

The majority (671) were aged 16 to 19, and most of them were on level three programmes in fashion retail or design.

The report said that teaching, learning and assessment were of the “highest quality”, with working relationships between students and staff “exemplary”.

This applied to numeracy and literacy as well as fashion related studies, as an impressive level of commitment was recognised to all learners achieving “a high standard of skills in English and mathematics”.

It added that learners were helped to develop “a keen awareness of how society and cultural influences impact on retail fashion”, through teachers carefully selecting topics and images to challenge learners’ preconceptions.

It explained this develops their “ability to debate and discuss – for example, in one lesson the teacher presented recent catwalk images of models wearing face-obscuring masks together with newspaper coverage of the ban on wearing a burka in France.

“Learners and the teachers then explored their own views on the subject and discussed what challenges this presented for the industry.”

Support into jobs after courses are completed was also recognised as a priority.

The inspection team, noted: “All learners benefit from a carefully planned work placement or internship within a high street fashion retail business.”

“As a result of excellent ongoing careers advice and guidance, almost all learners gain employment at their first-choice employer or move into higher education.”

Industry masterclass lectures were also praised for helping “learners to thoroughly grasp the necessary skills and attributes demanded by employers and also provide good opportunities for learners to network and talk to a wide range of high-profile fashion retail personalities”.

Reflecting on the success of FRA, which has trained over 7,000 students over the last 12 years, Mr Lucas said: “It has been a catalyst for bringing together an extremely competitive industry for a common purpose to achieve a shared goal; to develop and inspire talent for a specialist career in fashion retail.

“I believe that it is these relationships, along with our continued focus on ensuring everything we do results in positive outcomes for learners, that is the biggest factor in our success.”

Prisoners to work towards apprenticeships

Offenders will be able to work towards an apprenticeship while in prison for the first time under new plans put forward by the government.

The new prisoner apprenticeship pathway, set to be introduced next year, is one of a number of proposals to reform prison education included in the Prison Safety and Reform white paper, published by the Ministry of Justice and National Offender Management Service yesterday (November 3).

Prisoners are not able to study an apprenticeship while in prison.

But the new pathway would mean that education and training done in prison could count towards an apprenticeship after a prisoner’s release.

“We intend to introduce a Prisoner Apprenticeship Pathway to offer prisoners opportunities that will count towards the completion of a formal apprenticeship on release,” the white paper said.

“Prisoners will have access to the same high quality training and education that an apprentice could expect in the community, and will not need to repeat training that they have successfully completed in custody on release, if they can demonstrate competence in the activity they are being trained in during the apprenticeship.”

The education proposals in the white paper are based on the recommendations from a review into prison education carried out by Dame Sally Coates and published in May.

They include plans to hand over responsibility for education and training provision to prison governors, to allow them to commission providers for their individual prisons once their existing contracts have come to an end.

The proposed changes been welcomed by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, which described the new prisoner apprenticeship pathway as “a major step forward”.

It said that the new proposals would allow prison governors to offer joined-up services for offenders by commissioning the same provider to provide services inside the prison and to support prisoners after release.

“We believe that the key to progress is much greater integration between the education and training opportunities that an offender receives inside the prison gate and the training and employment finding support available to the same individual on release,” an AELP spokesperson said.

Currently prison education is delivered through Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) contracts, held at present by three colleges and one independent learning provider, which are given out by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).

Manchester College holds the contracts for London, the North East, North West, Kent and Sussex, and Yorkshire and Humber, while Milton Keynes College holds contracts in East Midlands, West Midlands and South Central.

Weston College holds the contract for the South West of England, and People Plus, formerly known as A4E, holds the contract for East of England.

The first prisoners are expected to begin the prisoner apprenticeship pathway in 2017.

The white paper said that full details of how the government will implement the recommendations from the Coates review would be set out in a detailed education strategy next year.

AELP chief executive Mark Dawe said the white paper had the potential to be “the most important game-changer in decades for transforming the successful rehabilitation of ex-offenders, saving the taxpayer millions of pounds in the process”.

Consultation sparks hope for early years educator apprenticeships u-turn

Campaigners hope overwhelming pressure has forced the government to clear the way for a u-turn over GCSE requirements for early years educator (EYE) apprenticeships, following the launch of a new consultation.

It follows outrage when it was announced in September 2014 that EYE applicants would have to gain at least a C in maths and English before they could graduate.

A campaign to convince the Department for Education to reverse the decision for level three apprenticeships was launched in April by Cache, a specialist awarding organisation for courses in the care, health and education of young people.

It thinks viable alternative qualifications, such as Functional Skills, should be allowed.

Today’s launch of the consultation on what numeracy and literacy skills are needed by EYEs, by the minister for early years Caroline Dinenage, was greeted as a major step in the right direction.

Julie Hyde, associate director of Cache, said she hopes it will “pave the way for the GCSE-only rule to be dropped, and for Functional Skills to be reinstated as an equivalent qualification for level three EYE.

“There is no doubt that the GCSE-only policy has seriously impacted on recruitment.

“Reinstating Functional Skills will enable early years settings to again hire the brilliant practitioners they need, and will again allow staff to progress, and remain in the workforce. “We fully support the need for early years practitioners to have high-quality literacy and numeracy, and Functional Skills provides this.”

She added: “Caroline Dinenage deserves credit for listening to the sector and to our concerns, and for launching the consultation.

“We would encourage everyone to respond.”

FE Week’s sister paper FE Week also reported a shortage in early years teacher trainees in January this year.

In a speech in July at the National Day Nurseries Association Conference in Milton Keynes, then childcare and education minister Sam Gyimah acknowledged widespread concern about the impact of the GCSE requirements on EYE teacher recruitment.

Mr Gyimah said: “The most common issue that people have raised with me in terms of attracting staff has been the recruitment of staff at level two and three since the introduction of the GCSE requirement for level three staff in September 2014. “I have heard from employers that they feel the requirement is reducing the pool of new staff coming into the sector.”

He added: “I have heard the concerns from significant parts of the sector for swift action to remove the GCSE requirement and I want to ensure you that I will be revisiting the options on how to make sure the sector has both the right number of staff and the right quality of staff.”

Commenting on the launch of the consultation that will run until November 28, Mr Gyimah’s replacement, Ms Dinenage, said: “Making sure our children learn, develop and flourish at this critical time in their lives is vital – we want to recruit and retain the very best staff for this, that’s why we are looking at the skills needed.”

She is set to make her first major speech to childcare professionals at the Nursery World Business Summit 2016 next Tuesday (November 8), when it is thought she will indicate willingness on the part of the government to compromise on the issue.

New south London free school ruffles local feathers

Two colleges in south London have hit out at a new 16-19 free school that will offer only vocational courses and GCSE resits opening in their area.

The Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form (HPS6F), a standalone free school in Croydon, will offer 170 places for professional skills courses, with another 60 places for students retaking GCSEs before they progress to a vocational qualification.

It is set to open on a temporary site next year, before moving into a former police station in South Norwood in 2018.

But Frances Wadsworth, the principal of Croydon College, which is located just two miles away from the new school, has openly asked whether it is a “required addition” to the area’s post-16 landscape.

She told FE Week that the proposal by the Harris federation, the multi-academy trust opening the school, has come at a time when the “16-to-18 population of Croydon and adjacent boroughs is falling, and will continue to fall until 2021”.

She continued: “The post-16 market is already congested, with several sixth forms below the Department for Education’s guidance on minimum numbers and overall providing poor value to the taxpayer.”

Her criticism was joined by that of Peter Mayhew-Smith, the principal of Carshalton College, which is seven miles away from HPS6F, who told FE Week that there was “no need for this initiative”.

“It is of great concern that this new vocational provision has been approved to open at exactly the time when the area review process has identified duplication and oversupply already in the FE provision in this area of London,” he said.

“Most of what is already in place is either good or outstanding, so there is simply no need for this initiative.”

The criticism comes in the same week that the Association of Colleges won its first judicial review against the government in more than a decade – which will now prevent plans for a new school sixth form at Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College in Essex from going ahead.

New government rules, introduced in April, bar academies from opening sixth forms that do not have 200 pupils or offer at least 15 A-levels.

The DfE rules also require schools to be rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Abbs Cross is in special measures.

As HPS6F will be classed as a free school it does not have to abide by the new government guidance.

It must nevertheless be able to demonstrate demand in the local area, and that the venture will be financially viable and provide “value for money”.

Croydon already has five general FE colleges and three sixth form colleges.

HPS6F will offer four pathways: construction, manufacturing, business and media. Students in years 12 and 13 will combine vocational courses with level three English and maths qualifications and employability skills.

Andrew Barr, the sixth form’s principal, said the Harris academy chain wanted to create a “niche offer for students who would find a traditional large college more difficult to cope in”.

But Ms Wadsworth said Croydon College, rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and attended by 1,651 16- to 18-year-old students in 2015/16, already provides successful construction and media programmes to meet local needs.

Dan Moynihan, head of the Harris federation, said the option will benefit a large contingent of youngsters in Croydon who are not in education, employment or training.

“NEETs often miss the first entry for local colleges, who for example have an entry in September, so we are offering a second date of entry to vocational courses for students who are otherwise NEET in October and November.”

Mr Moynihan said that because of the demand for NEETs, his sixth form’s provision “will not impact negatively on other sixth forms or colleges”

Movers & Shakers: Edition 188

Your weekly guide to who’s new, and who’s leaving.

Frank McLoughlin has been appointed associate director for leadership at the Education and Training Foundation.

A registered charity, the ETF is a commissioning body serving the FE and training sector.

Mr McLoughlin joins the organisation from his previous role as principal of City and Islington College, a position he held for 14 years.

During his time there, he received both a CBE and a knighthood for his services to education.

His new role at the ETF will involve developing a bespoke new training programme for principals and CEOs of colleges and training organisations.

Speaking about his new role, Mr McLoughlin said: “Having been a principal for so long I’m very well known in the sector. I’m managing to get in there and really speak to lots of people to help shape what this programme should be like.”

He began his career teaching part-time at various colleges, before landing a full-time job at North London College in 1981, which would later become known as City and Islington College.

He is most looking forward to “giving something back” to the FE sector in his new role, saying: “if I can put a programme in place for our top leaders and they say it’s fantastic and just what they want, then I’ll be a happy man.”

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Andrew Hall has been appointed the non-executive chairman of Babington Group, a leading provider of apprenticeships and skills training in the UK.

Based in Derby, Babington Group provides apprenticeships and skills training to learners and employers and is supported by ten training centres.

Since 2010, Mr Hall has been chief executive of academic qualifications provider AQA. At the same time, he has held the role of non-executive director and chairman at the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

Before that, he was chief executive and director of strategic resource management at the QCA, a non-departmental government body with responsibility for evolving the curriculum, assessments and qualifications in England. In addition, he has also served on the governing body of two schools near his West Midlands home.

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr Hall said: “I am looking forward to working with a strong team to grow Babington’s impressive presence in the growing skills and training market.

“Employers, learners and the government rely on Babington to provide high-quality and relevant courses. This trend is set to increase with the impact of new apprenticeship reforms in coming years.”

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Further education consultancy FEA has appointed Darran Marks as curriculum consultant, a newly created role.

In his new role, Mr Marks will go into various college departments for periods of up to a year to support them in raising their standards, both to Ofsted requirements and also in aiding staff development.

He takes on the role from his previous position as curriculum manager for the technology department at Newbury College in Berkshire, a role he held for two years.

Prior to this, Mr Marks was a programme leader in plumbing and electricals, and began his educational career as a lecturer in plumbing.

He states that his biggest goal is to “improve outcomes for learners”, and is most looking forward to “getting out and about in FE, helping a range of colleges with their varying needs and really making a difference.”

If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation, please let us know by emailing news@feweek.co.uk

FEATURE: College student’s business venture is fighting fit

Starting a business is notoriously difficult, but one entrepreneur launched her fitness empire in her first year at college. Now, just two years later she has opened her own studio – and she’s only 19. Samantha King reports.

When Amy Simpson left school, she decided a traditional A-level route wasn’t for her. Instead, she enrolled at Middlesbrough College to pursue courses in level two fitness instructing and level three personal training.

Her passion for fitness was a constant throughout her time at school, where she captained the football team, and “always liked leading”, a quality that would prove to be crucial in the success of her business.

Although it was a full-time course, I had a couple of hours in the morning or in the afternoon between study times, so I’d fit in personal training classes then

At just 16, during the first year of her studies at Middlesbrough College, Amy decided to set up a personal training and group fitness class service, which she called Amy Simpson Fitness.

Speaking of how she juggled her work and study life, she said: “Although it was a full-time course, I had a couple of hours in the morning or in the afternoon between study times, so I’d fit in personal training classes then. When I was qualified to teach classes, I ran them at night, and it built up and up from there.”

Building a client base through leafleting and social media, she would train clients in whatever space she could find. For personal training sessions, she would work with them in football fields, and even their front rooms and gardens. When it came to group classes she would rent out school halls, paying by the hour.

“When I first started my classes, they were very small in numbers and it was a struggle to get them to expand. Starting off, I just had my friends and family there.

“In the first couple of weeks I thought, ‘There’re only eight people here, is it worth carrying on?’ because I was only making £4 at the end of the night after I had paid the venue.”

Amy Simpson of Normanby has completed her Personal Trainer Level 3 training at Middlesbrough College and now entrepreneur Amy - still just 18 - has built up her own business, and recently opened her own 2,000sq ft fitness venue in a prime high street location in Normanby. 19/10/16 Pic Doug Moody Photography — The venue has plenty of space for fitness classes

A business unit on her course gave Amy the confidence to take her next steps and when she left the college, she invested in a 2,000 sq ft fitness venue in the heart of Normanby high street in North Yorkshire.

“As soon as I saw the premises I thought ‘yes, I need it’. It had all the metal beams to hang all my bags on and it was just perfect. I said there and then that I wanted it, and signed the papers.”

Amy’s business has grown exponentially in the two years it has been in operation and classes that started out with a handful of family and friends now regularly attract around 30 clients.

“At the beginning it might be hard and it might be embarrassing if only three people are turning up to the class, but you’ve just got to keep going because that three will soon turn into 30.”

Her client base now ranges from teenage boys training to go into the army and wanting to build up their general fitness, to women who are struggling to put on weight and want to develop muscle.

Speaking of how college helped her, she said: “I couldn’t have done it all without the experience at Middlesbrough College behind me. My tutors really encouraged me, and it was working with them that gave me the inspiration to go for it.”

Featured picture: Amy at her new fitness studio

Poppy selling won’t lose its appeal for Sian

A dedicated volunteer and manager at a Teesside college hopes to raise thousands of pounds selling poppies this November.

Sian Cameron, who is support centre manager at Stockton Riverside College’s engineering and vocational training provider, NETA Training, spends two weeks a year working 14-hour shifts for free during the poppy appeal.

Last year, Sian and her team of volunteers raised more than £50,000 for the Royal British Legion charity, and she hopes to raise even more this year.

The charity provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community, including serving men and women, veterans and their families.

The 34-year-old took on the job of annually shifting 60,000 poppies for the poppy appeal following the death of her father in 2010, and is now entering her sixth year as a volunteer.

Cameron said: “As poppy appeal organiser for Hartlepool it is something my dad, Ian, was really passionate about. He was proud to be involved”.

“When he died suddenly after suffering a heart attack in 2010, it seemed only right for me to step into the role.”

With her small terraced cottage filled with poppies year-round, volunteer Sian has even had to have her loft renovated to accommodate them all.

Featured picture: Sian with her beloved poppies

Students sleep under the stars to raise money for the homeless

A group of social work students at Bradford College are preparing to spend the night outside to raise money for the homeless.

The team will give up their home comforts and bed down at the Shay Stadium in Halifax as part of a charity fundraising event.

The students have already raised over £500 through their online fundraising page, and hope to hit a grand total of £1,000 before the event takes place on November 11.

Marco Radley, who is in the second year of her social work course at the college, said: “A few of us did the event last year and it was absolutely freezing, we were cold to the bone, but it’s for a great cause. As tough as it was to do last year, we all felt it was very worthwhile and wanted to do it again.”

The ‘Under 1 Roof’ fundraiser, which will see teams of fundraisers come together to sleep outside, has been organised by homeless charity Calderdale Smartmove, which assists homeless and vulnerably housed people to find accommodation in the Calderdale area.

Featured picture: The students with their sponsorship forms for the fundraiser