Apprenticeships in identity crisis at ‘real or rebrand’ debate

The definition, purpose and identity of apprenticeships was criticised heavily at the ‘Growth in Apprenticeships: real or rebrand?’ debate held in the House of Commons last week.

More than eighty representatives from colleges, training providers and political parties discussed the rising number of apprentices aged 25 and above, and whether this was simply a ‘rebadging’ of the Train to Gain initiative.

Teresa Firth, Senior Skills Policy Manager at the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: “When is an apprenticeship really an apprenticeship?

“It’s perhaps not unjustifiable for Morrison’s to deliver a program in a certain amount of time, but it’s inappropriately named an apprenticeship.

“It may be appropriate for those individuals in that circumstance and at that time to meet those very specific needs – but it’s not an apprenticeship.”

As the funding and structure of vocational training continues to broaden, the very concept of what an apprenticeship should be was brought into question on numerous occassions..

Gordon Marsden MP, Shadow Minister for Further Education, Skills and Regional Growth, said: “What is an apprenticeship, and how do you define it? That is very key and very important.

“It’s almost worse for a young person to remain unemployed then to be put into a position of training that then doesn’t take them any further to the employment position.”

Judy Brandon, National Policy Manager at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), said there also needed to be a debate about the funding of apprenticeships:

She said: “Once you’ve got that definition, you then have to work out who pays. Who pays for which elements in particular?”

The further education sector is often quick to pounce on private training providers, asking them to take greater responsibility for the needs of the economy and individual learners.

However, Mick Fletcher, a visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Education and consultant, said that providers shouldn’t be blamed for taking advantage of the system.

“Providers are doing exactly what under the current system they’re supposed to do,” Mr Fletcher said.

“It raises some big question marks as to whether we want a system in which we try to design everything at the centre and then apply a series of sticks and carrots to try and drive providers in particular directions.”

A number of training providers were in attendance at the debate, but it was down to Karen Martin, Skills and Enterprise Director at Ixion Holdings Ltd, to justify the industry’s behaviour.

“The growth of apprenticeships was inevitable,” she said.

“Employers are being told, or sold, apprenticeships as opposed to NVQs, as that’s where the money is. That’s where the funding is now, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable for providers to be selling where the funding currently sits, and where the future for funding is.

“The government priority came out last year that apprenticeships were the priority, and I think the training providers have adapted exceedingly quickly to change their delivery models.”

Apprenticeships are often portrayed as a solution to the growing number of young people not in employment, education or training.

But as the number of new apprentices aged between 16 and 24 slows down, it’s inevitable that colleges are starting to look elsewhere as a means to hitting government targets.

Ray Shilling, Head of Employer Training Solutions at Westminster Kingsway College, said: “We try and do as many 16 to 18 year-olds as possible, but there’s not the jobs out there to apply for, so it’s become a stagnant market.

“When April hit our policy within the college was to concentrate on apprenticeships and grown apprenticeships even further – so the biggest area you can grow apprenticeships in is for learners aged 25 and above.”.

The majority of attendees agreed that in principal, there was nothing wrong with retraining or re-skilling employees. The problem is that once learners gain an apprenticeship qualification, sometimes it has an insignificant effect on their career.

A spokesperson from National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) said: “People do need opportunities to progress throughout their working lives.

“People who are already working for the employer and then being put onto an apprenticeship program – sometimes that is not a bad thing. But if the person who goes through an apprenticeship stays on the same job, or doesnt get any pay rise, then is that really a good use of public money? I’d suggest not.”

If professionals can’t work out what an apprenticeship is, imagine what it must be like for the learner. Peter Cobrin, National Education Director at www.notgoingtouni.co.uk, said the government needed to provide secondary schools with better guidance and support.

“There’s an elephant in the room here. If you ask anybody what it the real problem with apprenticeships is, it is the fact that people don’t understand them, the people that need to know about them don’t know about them, and that is because the Department for Education (DfE) is almost ideologically predisposed against vocational learning, vocational training.”

Mr Cobrin added: “Is 12 weeks working in a catering establishment and coming up with an certificate – is that an apprenticeship? Or  three years working in a engineering company – is that an apprenticeship? We haven’t got a handle around what it is.”

Funding and payments were a central issue to the discussions. As plans for a further education loans system continues to gain momentum, the apprenticeship wage was brought into question.

Martin Prescott, Managing Director of HT Skills, said: “It’s enormously difficult to get young people to go into a job at £19 a week when they can sit at home for £63 a week.

“That is a fundamental problem and there are only a few ways to solve it.”

Dave Hall, Director of Work-based Learning at Sunderland simply said: “I’m worried to death about the future of apprenticeships.”

The debate identified serious concerns not only with the funding mechanisms behind apprenticeships, but the very concept of vocational training.

Apprenticeships need to work out its ongoing identity crisis, and fast.

Celebrity ‘petrol heads’ stop to refuel at Central Sussex College campus car challenge

Central Sussex College’s Motorsport team was pleased to show off its modified vehicles at the second RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge at the weekend. The cars created plenty of interest from visiting celebrities.

The entrants – including celebrity car enthusiasts Quentin Willson, Kevin McCloud (Grand Designs), actor Robert Llewellyn, DJ Mark Goodier and Formula One legend Damon Hill OBE – made a refuelling stop at the College’s Crawley campus.

More than 65 eco-friendly vehicles completed the challenge, stopping at Central Sussex College along the way. The event was staged, promoted and judged in three categories – Electric, Hybrid and Internal Combustion Engine – and split into seven vehicle classes.

Within each category, entries were measured in various modes for the energy used during the drive from Madeira Drive, Brighton, to Pall Mall, London. The challenge was to complete the event with the least energy impact.

Formula One designer Gordon Murray was the overall challenge winner, driving his T.27 prototype. He said: “It’s a fantastic showcase for technology and the Royal Automobile Club should be proud of the event.”

Herefordshire College of Technology go green and win award with sustainable cafe

A college’s café has been handed a prestigious award.

The Straw Bale Café at Herefordshire College of Technology’s (HCT) Holme Lacy Campus received recognition at the West of England LABC Awards by winning the ‘Technical Innovation’ category in the local and most recently, the national finals.

The LABC awards are all about excellence achieved through building standards, technical innovation and sustainable designs. The judges said: “The team behind this project were not afraid to use some unusual materials and construction techniques.

“In doing so, they have created for Herefordshire College of Technology a new refectory that is an exemplar of sustainable construction.”
HCT’s principal Ian Peake said: “We were thrilled to win this award which recognises that we are at the cutting edge of building technologies – setting an example of what is possible to our students and employers.”

For the cafe’s architects and designers at Hewitt Studios, sustainability was a key aspect of the project and from the outset it was decided that as many of the construction materials as possible would be supplied from the Holme Lacy estate.

Paul Younger, the project architect for Hewitt Studios LLP, said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition for such a trail-blazing sustainable project. “It is testament to the college’s commitment to green-issues that they commissioned such an experimental building in these uncertain times – not to mention their contribution of labour, straw, cedar and plants from the college estate.
“We hope that it will provide an affordable model for future sustainable building.”

Ben Cohen stands up for anti-bullying charity

A rugby hero was back on home turf to spend the day with college students promoting an important message.
Celebrated England Rugby World Cup winner and former Northampton Saints player Ben Cohen raised awareness of his new anti-bullying charity - Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation - at Northampton College.
The aim of the foundation is to combat bullying and homophobia, and during his visit, Cohen talked to college students about the long-term, damaging effects of bullying, in particular homophobia in sports.
He also had the chance to speak to bullied victims about how they have been affected in a special ‘anti-bullying cafe’ as well as leading an exciting rugby training session.
Northampton College principal Len Closs said: “We were delighted to welcome Ben along to the college as part of this special event. The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is founded on values which reflect our whole ethos regarding bullying and harassment and we are keen to help promote his important message to stamp it out.
“Our students enjoyed meeting such a significant local sports hero and being involved in raising awareness of this important cause.”
Cohen said: “I enjoyed spending the day with the students at Northampton College and am proud a college in my home town is the first to become an official ‘StandUp’ College. “Bullying affects so many people. It damages lives and young people’s futures. I am putting my whole time into combating it, wherever and to whom ever it occurs. I am incredibly privileged to have a voice to be able to do this and relishing the challenge.” 
Music student Joseph Conetta said: “I think it’s great that Ben has changed career focus and is now concentrating on promoting anti-bullying.
“It’s crucial we all stand up against bullies and I think the student body at Northampton College is totally on board with that. It was an interesting day.”

Kingston College scores celeb endorsement for UK’s first ever women’s football academy

A star footballer was on hand at a college to kick-off the UK’s first-ever women’s football academy.

England international Alex Scott officially opened the new Kingston College Women’s Football Academy in partnership with Puma.
The Alex Scott Academy is the first academy of its kind in the UK and highlights the growth of the women’s game.

Kingston College’s head of school for sport and leisure Jade Mountain said: “I am delighted to be here at the official launch of The Alex Scott Academy. We couldn’t ask for a better figurehead and ambassador for the Academy than Alex. She is an England international and professional player in the USA and she came through an Academy system herself, demonstrating just how effective they are.
“We are proud to be associated with an individual who can offer our players real support and inspiration.”

Scott said: “I am delighted to have officially launched the Alex Scott Academy. To be able to give the girls the opportunity to play and study just like I did is something that I’m very honoured and proud to be doing.”

Andy Taylor, from Puma, added: “Puma is proud to be associated with the Alex Scott Academy at Kingston College. The college is a key partner in education and innovation as it promotes excellence in the classroom as well as on the field.”

The new academy aims to provide players with an unrivalled calibre of training, skills development and match play and Kingston College’s ongoing commitment to offer quality football provision has been recognised with this partnership.

South Essex College students inspired by back stage tour of Red Hot Chili Peppers gig

A group of students went behind the scenes at one of the hottest gigs in town.

Four Media and Creative Arts students from South Essex College took not so much centre stage, but more backstage, as they headed to the American rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers’ gig at the O2 last week.
The get-ins, rigging and sound checks won’t have been seen by the thousands who went to see the show, but they were witnessed by college students from the National Skills Academy’s 20 founder further education Colleges, of which South Essex College is a part.

Students focused on the preparations and logistics of moving a built show into a new venue, where they spent a day front-of-house and on the show floor learning about the roles and responsibilities involved in putting together shows on this scale.

The college’s curriculum leader for Music Practice and Music Technology, Hayley Hill, said: “We were blown away by the sheer number of skilled workers that were needed to mount a single night in a venue of this size.”

With the UK experiencing a surge in live music events – contributing £1bn to the economy each year – such inspirational days are increasingly vital to the industry and the creative economy.
Paul Latham, the head of Live Nation and chairman of the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural, said: “Finding people who want to work in the music industry isn’t the hard part, this is an attractive industry with many a young person wanting to work in it.

“Finding the right person with the right skills and attitude is a different matter. Production Day Visits give these students a real insight into what it takes to put on a world-class show.”

Adult FE and skills learners fall 411,000

Provisional figures published in the October Statistical First Release show that the number of learners classed as participating in the Adult (19+) FE and skills sector fell 411,300 (-12 per cent) in 2010/11.  This included a fall of 67,000 (-9 per cent) for learners participating in Adult

Safeguarded Learning (ASL), from 752,800 in 2009/10 to 685,800 in 2010/11. For a more detailed breakdown of the figures click here.

Westminster Kingsway College sees golden opportunity for employment at Olympics

A college opened its doors to help a community realise its Olympic dream.

Westminster Kingsway College welcomed Lord Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), at the Camden Council Employment and Skills Opportunities Fair. It was held to ensure residents and students in Camden are aware of the employment opportunities during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The fair, at the college’s King’s Cross Centre, gave residents the chance to meet businesses recruiting for thousands of jobs in a wide range of industries and training providers like the college, who offer specialist vocational training.

Lord Coe, with the college’s principal Andy Wilson and the leader of Camden Council, Councillor Nasim Ali OBE, opened the fair and visited the ‘Have a Go’ Pancake Challenge with Professional Chef Diploma students.

He said: “I have greatly enjoyed visiting the fair and highlighting to Camden’s residents just how many opportunities there will be with London 2012 over the next few months.
“The London Borough of Camden will play a key role in the London 2012 Games next year, hosting the world’s media in Bloomsbury. Camden’s creativity and energy will ensure that they get the best first impression of London and what the Games will be all about.” Mr Wilson added: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a real motivation for our students and the young people of London to get involved during London 2012.

“At Westminster Kingsway College, our students are already participating through volunteering, skills training and employment opportunities and we will be able to build a lasting legacy for our students during and after the Games.”

Look beneath the funding rates and ‘complification’ is everywhere

The Skills Funding Agency is very proud of themselves, and they will want to share their success. They will tell you repeatedly that in 2013/14 (assuming they still exist after the recently announced review) more than 7,000 different qualification rates will be just 30 (see table below right).

This, they will say, is proof. That’s right, proof that simplification is possible, and all that ‘complification’ (see page 6) has been consigned to history.

But before you believe the hype, let’s look at the evidence presented in the document “A new streamlined funding system for adult skills”, published last month.

Perhaps we need the C4 fact checker, because all may not be what it seems.

Firstly, it seems inevitable that the large employer discount will remain, so 30 rates could become 60. Then there is the 25+ discount, adding another 25 rates for non-large employers and 25 for large employers. So up to a possible 110 now.

Secondly, there will need to be reduced rates for learners who have already achieved one or more of the apprenticeships framework qualification. For example, if an Advanced Apprenticeship learner already has GCSEs in English and maths A*-C then the funding agency will not want to fund the key or functional skills. Or perhaps the learner is exempt from some of the NVQ units. Again, double funding will not be allowed. Hence, providers will need to discount the funding rate (as they do now) and to arrive at a new one.

Thirdly, every year that the Qualification and Credit Framework hangs around unloved but without alternative, more and more learners are accumulating credit. Ask the Skills Funding Agency what the rate would be for a learner enrolling on a Level 2 Diploma who has already achieved the nested Certificate. Perhaps they already have the Award and now they are progressing to the Certificate.

The reality is that the Skills Funding Agency have no answer to this accumulation of credit issue in funding terms, yet even the BIS Loans Consultation attempted to tackle it. That document said: “achievement of prior credits will be taken into account to avoid duplication, therefore reducing the amount of loan required”. This is a rather unfortunate ‘complification’ that does not fit into their 30 rates success at creating the table below.

If the Skills Funding Agency had be bold enough to set a national credit rate, although not a perfect science, then discounting for prior attainment in this way would be a non-issue.

Ask the SFA what the rate would be for a learner enrolling on a Level 2 Diploma who has already achieved the nested certificate”

Let’s move beyond the 30 rate claim and see where other ‘complifications’ fester.

It would be nice to think with a rates table the need to look them up via an online database (LARA) would no longer be necessary. But it is not a table, it is a ‘matrix’. This means you will need to look up the programme weighting, of which at first glance it seems they are being reduced to five.

As the table below shows there will be standard (or as I like to call it ‘very low’), low, medium, high and specialist programme weightings. Five is already one more than being proposed by the Young People’s Learning Agency for 2013/14, yet check the small print. Low, medium, high and specialist will differ depending on whether it is an apprenticeship or not. So in reality nine different programme weightings are being proposed!

Then there is the disadvantage uplift (DU), which is arguably the most complicated part of the demand-led funding formula. You do not know the DU value until you have recruited the learner as it is based on their postcode, and it can be worth up to 32 per cent more (accurate to four decimal places).

Despite early plans to scrap the DU element of the funding formula, it is now not only remaining but being extended to the one area where currently it is not used: non-apprenticeships workplace training (formally Train to Gain). Complification guaranteed.

Of perhaps most interest is that the main ‘simplification’ introduced in 2008/09 is being scrapped in the name of ‘streamlining’. The  current provider factor for learner-responsive (classroom) provision is based on historical values, thus providing a significant degree of stability in the system. It seems in our free and flexibile sector stability has almonst  become a dirty word.

So when the Agency wave their rates table at you, say FE Week Agitator has a few questions!