The funding band reviews are a good model for the future

Following the success of the funding band reviews, the Institute for Apprenticeships will use the same collaborative approach to carry out quality reviews, declares Sir Gerry Berragan

Reviews have been a focus for the Institute for Apprenticeships in recent weeks. As we look to make our final recommendations for the funding band review, we’re also finalising our approach to the statutory reviews of apprenticeship standards.

Some might see this as a dual challenge, but I think we have a unique opportunity to learn from the collaborative approach we’ve taken to the funding band review, capture feedback in real time and replicate what works well in future reviews.

We have engaged with trailblazer groups at every stage

With the funding band review, we have engaged with trailblazer groups at every stage. This is an opportunity to ensure each of the 31 standards have the appropriate funding to support high quality delivery, and provide value for money for both employers and government.

Each funding band review has been individual, using a consistent approach without pre-judging the outcome. Our decisions have been evidence-based, and we will communicate the outcome of the review to trailblazers before we submit our recommendations to the Department for Education, who will make final decisions.

We asked trailblazers to provide information to inform our recommendations. As this was a review of existing funding bands, we were able to assess information on actual delivery costs rather than estimates – including quotes from providers and end-point assessment organisations – as well as data from the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Using this evidence to review the identified standards has made for a more accurate and better informed assessment.

We have had some encouraging feedback from trailblazers

We have contacted 19 employer groups with reviewed funding band recommendations – we are recommending some stay the same, some increase, and some decrease.  Reflecting on how things have gone so far, we know some trailblazers disagree with the proposed new funding bands.  However, some groups are content, and we have had some encouraging feedback from trailblazers who have been impressed with the level of engagement. 

We will use this open, fair and collaborative approach as we start to undertake our wider review of all existing standards that will become an integral part of the Institute’s work as we move forward.

Statutory reviews of apprenticeship standards

It’s just over a year since the Institute was created. The initial focus was to ensure the seamless transition of the apprenticeship approvals process, whilst setting a high quality threshold for new standards. Thereafter, we sought to boost our productivity with the Faster and Better programme, accelerating the way apprenticeship standards are developed and approved. We now recognise it’s time to turn our attention to those standards approved before the Institute came into existence.

We’ve designed an approach that is employer-led

We have a statutory responsibility to regularly review apprenticeship standards and assessment plans to make a judgement on whether they should be amended or withdrawn. This will ensure all apprenticeship standards continue to be high quality and meet the needs of employers.

In February, we announced that a review of apprenticeship standards within the digital route would begin later in the year. We’ve designed an approach that is employer-led, informed by stakeholders, overseen by the appropriate route panel and that will underpin the quality of T-levels as well as apprenticeships. It will also be proportionate, taking into account other work such as the funding band review.

Balancing these requirements, we will be taking a staged approach to reviews. By choosing to focus on the digital route, a fast-evolving route driven by changes in technology, we can prioritise those standards approved prior to April 2017, linked to T-levels and where there have been low numbers of starts.

There are mixed views from our stakeholders regarding the reviews. Some are concerned that it could create further uncertainty at a time when we want to increase the number of starts on apprenticeship standards. I recognise this concern, and so this graduated approach ensures that we focus on those standards that do not meet our quality threshold – a necessity if we are to create an apprenticeship and T-level system that gives confidence to employers and learners.  

We aim to report our findings by early next year. At the same time we will publish a detailed timeline and approach for further reviews, which will build on the lessons learnt from the digital review.

If you are part of a trailblazer group that’s been through a funding band review, email us at news@feweek.co.uk to let us know how it went for you!

Government no longer backing its own 3m apprenticeship manifesto commitment

The Department for Education has, for the first time, refused to commit to its 3m apprenticeship starts target, after a spokesperson for the prime minister dodged the question this morning.

The target has been included in the past two Conservative party election manifestos, but with starts falling it’s slipping ever further out of reach.

At a Downing Street lobby briefing this morning a spokesperson for the prime minister reportedly refused to back the target, after being asked three times.

And the Department for Education subsequently told FE Week it had nothing further to add.

In its 2015 election manifesto, the Conservatives – under former leader David Cameron – promised to “support three million new apprenticeships, so young people acquire the skills to succeed”.

This was reaffirmed in 2017 under Ms May’s leadership, who pledged to “deliver our commitment to create 3 million apprenticeships for young people by 2020 and in doing so we will drive up the quality of apprenticeships to ensure they deliver the skills employers need.”

As previously reported by FE Week, there have been just 22,300 starts reported to date in May this year – an increase of 9,400 on the same month in 2017 but still 40 per cent down on May 2016.

According to FE Week’s analysis of the latest figures, starts are 414,300, or 23 per cent, down from where they need to be to hit the target.

There have been 1,435,700 starts since May 2015, when the target was launched – meaning a further 1,564,300 are needed to reach 3m.

With just 23 months left until the target end date, in April 2020, that’s an average of 68,013 starts per month – more than three times the number so far in May.

According to Politics Home, a spokesperson for Theresa May was questioned about the number of starts at a lobby briefing for journalists this morning.

Despite being asked three times if the government would meet the 3m target, the spokesperson reportedly refused to say.

Writing in The Times newspaper earlier this year, skills minister Anne Milton also appeared to back away from the target.

The government’s reforms had “made sure that apprenticeships are high quality”, and “we won’t sacrifice that quality just to meet the target that was set,” she wrote in an opinion piece in May.

Just two months earlier, in a hearing for an inquiry by the House of Lords economic affairs committee, Ms Milton said her aim was “to meet the 3m target”, but admitted that she had “absolutely no idea” how that target was arrived at.

According to an interview with the Institute for Government think-tank, published in January, former skills minister Nick Boles came up with the target during the build-up to the 2015 election.

“We had delivered two million apprenticeships in the 2010–15 parliament,” he said. “So in the manifesto process, there was a classic exercise in ‘well, okay, what are we going to promise for the next parliament?’

“There was this feeling that you can’t say two-and-a-half million – that sounds a bit tame, nobody would be excited by that – so we’re going to say three million. Then three million is really a lot of apprenticeships, it’s big growth.”

IfA funding rate review: Customer service set for 13 per cent cut

Yet another popular apprenticeship standard is set to have its funding cut, following the Institute for Apprenticeship’s rate review.

The level two customer service practitioner standard will have its funding cap reduced by 13 per cent – from £4,000 to £3,500 –  according to documents shared with FE Week.

It’s currently the third most popular apprenticeship standard, with 6,500 starts in the first nine months of 2017/18.

The decision is not being challenged by the employer group that developed the standard, according to its chair.

Dean Ashton, standards and accreditation associate at the Institute of Customer Service, told FE Week the group had instead “asked the IfA to monitor any trends in uptake/decrease in the number of apprenticeships”.

The group will also keep an eye on starts and report back to the IfA “any evidence that suggests this funding review will affect the take up and support for customer service”.

According to the letter sent to Mr Ashton from the IfA, the decision to reduce the funding band for the standard was based on a number of factors.

These included information provided by the Trailblazer group, providers and assessment organisations; the “cost and funding bands of any equivalent frameworks”; and the “initial funding band that would have been allocated to the standard” under the IfA’s new funding approach.

The group’s “nominated training providers submitted information about the cost of training delivery, with totals ranging from £3,937 to £4,960” while the “nominated end-point assessment organisation submitted assessment costs of £545”.

“If this were a new standard, the Institute’s initial band (allocated at proposal stage) would have been £2,000,” the letter said.

The customer services framework, which has “similarities” to the standard, has a “funding band maximum of £1,500”, it said.

The IfA’s funding band review, launched in May, was intended to “help make sure that employers can access high quality apprenticeships, and that funding bands represent good value for money for employers and government”.

It covers 31 standards – including some of the most popular.

FE Week analysis at the time the review was launched found that the 31 represented 64 per cent of all starts on standards for the first half of 2017/18 (45,900 out of 71,720).

The employer group behind three management standards, including the level three team leader supervisor, responsible for the highest number of starts of any standard, revealed on Friday that it was planning to appeal after being told that all three would have their rates cut.

This includes the chartered manager degree apprenticeship, which is set to have its cap slashed from £27,000 to £22,000.

And the hair professional standard is also set to have its funding rate reduced from £9,000 to £7,000.

All funding rate cuts are subject to final approval by the education secretary, Damian Hinds.

The 31 standards under review

A spokesperson for the IfA  said: “Following a request from the Department for Education, we are conducting a funding band review on 31 existing standards using the new 30 band structure and the Institute’s funding process. We have contacted 19 trailblazer groups to inform them of our recommendations.  Throughout the process, we worked with trailblazers to ensure the process and outcome was fair and appropriate for each standard.

“We will submit our recommendations to the Department for Education, who will make the final decision.”

Read the IfA’s letter here.

Funding rates to be slashed for popular management apprenticeships

The management degree apprenticeship standard is set to have its funding slashed by a massive £5,000.

And funding rates for two other management standards – including the most popular standard, for team leader/ supervisor – will also be reduced.

The employer group behind the standards, led by the Chartered Management Institute, is planning to appeal the cuts, according to an email seen by FE Week.  

All three, which between them accounted for almost 20,000 starts in the first nine months of 2017/18, were part of the Institute for Apprenticeship’s funding band review, which began in May.

According to documents seen by FE Week, the level management degree apprenticeship will have its funding cap cut from £27,000 to £22,000, pending approval by the education secretary Damian Hinds.

The band for the level five operational/departmental manager standard will go from £9,000 to £7,000, while the level three team leader/ supervisor standard will be capped at £4,500 – down from £5,000.

The team leader/ supervisor standard is the most popular to date, with 12,080 starts in the first nine months of 2017/18, while the operational/ departmental manager is the fourth most popular with 5,530 starts over the same time period.

And there have been 1,750 starts on the level six standard, making it the most popular degree apprenticeship.

Petra Wilton, director of strategy at the Chartered Management Institute, hit out on social media to say that “cutting funding for new high-quality apprenticeships that are working – runs counter to all commonsense”.

And Sean Williams, chief executive of training provider Corndel, warned that the funding cuts would have a “catastrophic effect”.

The Trailblazer group has said it is intending to appeal the decisions, warning that if implemented they would hit the quality of training and the reputation of apprenticeships, and would lead to a drop in the number of starts.

According to the letter from the IfA to the leadership and management trailblazer group, seen by FE Week, the decision to cut the funding band for the degree apprenticeship was based on a number of factors – including information provided by the Trailblazer group.

This included quotes from a range of providers, stating that it would cost between £27,000 and £28,994 to deliver, and one quote from an end-point assessment organisation with a cost of £1,169.93.

“You told us that a reduction to funding would lead to providers exiting the market and reduce provider ability to deliver high quality training provision,” the letter said.

The news comes on the same day as the Trailblazer group behind the hair professional standard, another of the 31 under review, revealed that they’d been told their funding was being cut from £9,000 to £7,000.

The Institute for Apprenticeships declined to comment.

Read the IfA’s letters to the Trailblazer group in full:

A-Level results 2018 | Live blog

A-level results day is here!

Today’s the day when A-level learners up and down the country find out whether all their hard work has paid off, and what their next step in life will be.

*** The live blog is now closed. Sorry if your pictures didn’t make it in – we’ve been inundated with stories and there simply hasn’t been time to add them all. We really appreciate you sending them and don’t forget to send them in next year. Congratulations to all the learners who got their results today and best of luck for the future.***

As with previous years, we’ll be sharing some of the success stories from colleges, sixth form colleges and providers up and down the country on this live blog.

Christ the King Sixth Form College student Piriyankan Thavaraja has beaten the odds after securing D*D*D* in BTEC engineering.

The 18-year-old is one of just seven per cent of looked-after children to progress to higher education, as he takes up a place at Brunel University to study civil engineering.

Piriyankan is estranged from his family in Sri Lanka, and had been living with his brother in the UK until three years ago when his brother had to return to their home country.

Since that time he’s been in care. For the first year of his studies at Christ the King he was in accommodation a long way from the college, and has also been working at two part-time jobs in order to send money back to his family.

Christ the King principal Rob McAuliffe said: “Piriyankan is one of a number of our students who have overcome enormous obstacles to achieve academic success. He’s an extremely talented and modest young man and we are confident he will go on to a successful and fulfilling career after university. We’re extremely proud of him.”

What better way to celebrate your A-level results than with free ice-cream?! Zoe Hogg, 18, and Chloe Pearce, 19, are all smiles after picking up their A-level results at West Kent College today.

Zoe is still deciding between Cardiff and Swansea universities, after gaining ACC in English literature, history and law.

“I’m hoping to eventually join the police force, working in the counter-terrorism unit, or sit the Bar and become a barrister, but that’s a decision for further in the future,” she said.

Like her friend, Chloe also hopes for a career in the police. She’s off to the University of Plymouth to study law and criminology after scoring scored ADD in law, biology and English literature.

Kelly Bennett, head of A-levels at West Kent, said: “We’re delighted with the fantastic set of results our students have achieved this year. We are very proud of all their achievements, with a number of them achieving beyond their expectations.”

Three Pendleton Sixth Form College students are all off to university after each achieving D*D*D* in BTEC forensic science extended diploma.

Olivia Splaine (left) said she was “really pleased” with her results, which mean she’s off to Manchester University to study psychology – which she hopes will lead to her dream job as a clinical psychologist.

Mia Morris (centre) will be studying biomedical science at Manchester Metropolitan University, which she hopes will lead to a career as a pathologist.

“I knew when I chose Pendleton the results were always good and I was right,” she said.

Kaydee-lea Gibson (right) has a place at Edge Hill University to study psychology and criminology.

“I’m hoping one day to become a criminal psychologist and college has certainly helped me gain the independence and confidence I’l need for the job.”

Luke Mackey and Lillian Anderson are among more than 800 students from Bury College heading to university after picking up A-level and other level three vocational course results this week.

Luke, 18, will be studying modern foreign languages and cultures at Durham University after achieving ABB in A-level English language, English literature and French.

“I am absolutely ecstatic with my results and very relieved that all my hard work has paid off,” he said.

Meanwhile Lillian, 18, is off to Manchester University to study zoology after scoring A*A*A in biology, psychology and chemistry.

“I am really happy and very excited for my future. My results are a dream come true. I have loved my time at Bury College and I have received great support from my tutors. They have gone above and beyond to help me,” she said.

Bury College principal Charlie Deane said it had been “an exceptional year for student achievement”.

Four future dentists and doctors are a step closer to realising their dreams after picking up their A-level results at Ashton Sixth Form College today.

Akhil Sebastian (far left) and Ciara Blackhurst (far right) are both heading off to study medicine. Akhil, 18, will be going Sheffield University after achieving A*A*A*A* in biology, chemistry, maths and extended project, while Ciara, 18, is going to Liverpool University after getting A*A*AA in chemistry, geography, biology and extended project.

Meanwhile, Bhavik Patel (centre left) and Mohit Mistry (centre right) are both starting their dentistry studies soon. Bhavik, 18, will be going to Manchester University after getting AABB in chemistry, maths, biology and extended project, while Mohit, 18, will be joining Akhil at Sheffield University after scoring AABA in the same subjects.

Anton McGrath, Ashton SFC principal, said today’s results were “the best in the college’s long history”.

“Each and every one of our students should take some time to reflect on their magnificent achievement; we are proud of all of our students and wish them well for the next stage of their career, whether moving to university, beginning an apprenticeship or joining the world of work.”

When 19-year-old Izzy Buratta got her results from Strode College this morning she was so emotional her mum thought she’d failed.

“I started crying my eyes out. I was so shocked at my results but at the same time I’m so happy,” she said.

Izzy left school with just two GCSEs, and now has A*AA in maths, philosophy and economics and is off to the University of Warwick to study economics.

“I would not have achieved this without the encouragement and support from the teachers at Strode; they are so friendly!” she said.

18-year-old Louis Davies is off to Cambridge to study physical natural sciences, after achieving A*A*A*A in maths, chemistry, physics and further maths.

“When I opened my results, it felt surreal; I never expected to do this well,” he said.

“The support from everyone at the college has been outstanding; the teachers kept me on track and never allowed me to drop.”

If at first you don’t succeed… It’s been second time lucky for 21-year-old Nottingham College student Khaled Zoubiri (pictured with his tutor Jeff McQuone), who gained an impressive four As in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry today.

This was Khaled’s second go at A-levels, having failed to complete them first time around at school.

“I’m so pleased, it was good to take some time out to decide what I really wanted to do,” he said.

He’s now off to Manchester University to study chemical engineering, which both he and his family are “really happy” about.

Aaron Heather is just one of Bridgwater and Taunton College’s A-level students celebrating today after achieving outstanding results.

The 18-year-old is heading to the University of Exeter to study physics after gaining A*BB in maths, further maths and physics.

“College has been fun and I’ve met great people,” he said.

Overall, the college had a pass rate of 98.5 per cent, with 30 subjects seeing a 100 per cent pass rate.

Principal Andy Berry said, “We are absolutely delighted that our students have achieved the best ever results the college has seen.

“It has been great to be part of today’s results day and hear all of the success stories and exciting plans of our students who are off to pursue their passions at some top universities.”

A-level students at Cronton Sixth Form College have reason to be happy today – they achieved a remarkable 100 per cent pass rate! Amazingly, almost a third of all grades were either A or A*.

Principal Mary Murphy said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the remarkable A-Level and vocational results our students have achieved this year. A 100 per cent pass rate is rare and it truly is a testament to the hard work of both our talented students and inspirational staff.

“It was wonderful to be able to celebrate today with staff and proud teachers who have all worked so hard to achieve these spectacular results. We wish all of our students the best of luck as they embark on their next steps.”

Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, offered his congratulations to all students receiving their results at SFCs across the country today.

“This year’s A-Level and Applied General results show once again just how successful sixth form colleges are. Exam results are important and SFCA is delighted that so many students in colleges have done so well,” he said.

“Students and their teachers have worked tirelessly and deserve proper recognition and celebration of their successes and achievements.”

He added: “It is wonderful that students have done so well in their exams today, but colleges are far more than exam factories. The government must increase investment in sixth form education to ensure that all young people can access the extra-curricular activities and support services they need to progress to higher education or employment.”

A-level students at West Nottinghamshire College are jumping for joy after receiving their results today.

The college has an overall pass rate of 99.7 per cent this – up one percentage point on last year’s results.

Principal and chief executive, Dame Asha Khemka, said: “This is the second year that our A-level students have been tested under the revised, even tougher system, and despite widespread talk about the impact this could have on high grades and pass rates nationally, once again they have risen to the challenge and performed extremely well under such rigorous conditions.

“Congratulations to each student, to their families who play such an important role in supporting them, and of course to our staff, who have given each learner not only the knowledge and study skills to fulfil their potential, but the mentoring and guidance to develop as individuals.”

A Sheffield College student whose juvenile arthritis meant she sat her A-levels exams at her kitchen table (under the watchful eye of an invigilator) is celebrating after gaining BBD in English language, English literature and history.

Keavey Green, 18, said she was “so happy and relieved” with her results, and is now heading to Nottingham Trent University to study English and history.

“When my condition flares up, it affects the immune system as well as the joints which makes it very difficult to move. As a result, I become wheelchair bound,” she said.

“Despite these challenges, I was determined to succeed. The Sheffield College has helped me to go further than I thought was possible.”

Three A* grades in biology, chemistry and maths A-level are helping 17-year-old Libby Williams on her way to achieving her dream career.

The Cornwall College student is off to Plymouth University to study biomedical science in order to become a medical researcher, which will involve “researching cures and vaccines for diseases”.

“When I see people suffering with diseases then I wish that there could be something that could sort that out, so I want to be part of the movement,” she said.

Studying at Cornwall College has been “a really great experience”, and the teachers “really cared about what we were going to get”.

York College has pulled out all the stops to celebrate its students’ amazing A-level results, which saw a record-breaking 99.9 per cent pass rate.

An impressive 35 students got at least three A or A* grades, and eight managed an amazing three or more A*. Six of this year’s crop of students will be heading to Oxford or Cambridge this year.

Dr Alison Birkinshaw, York College principal, said: “These results are sensational and I am thrilled that our students have done so well.

“We are all so delighted they can now move onto top universities with confidence and be proud of their achievements.”

Harlow MP Robert Halfon offered his congratulations to all the students at Harlow College receiving their A-level results today.

“Harlow is becoming the skills capital of the east of England and ensuring that students can climb the education ladder of opportunity to achieve the very best,” he said.

“This is all to do with the hard work, commitment and sheer non-stop effort of the governors, principal, staff, students and parents. A proud day for Harlow and congratulations to all.”

Among those celebrating their results today is 18-year-old Jade Driscoll (seated on the floor), who gained ABB in her history, chemistry and maths A-levels.

She had an offer to study law at the University of Kent, but turned it down in favour of an apprenticeship. She’ll be training to be a solicitor at Eversheds Sutherland in Cambridge.

The apprenticeship will “better suit my lifestyle as I can stay at home and learn on the job,” she said.

“I know that I’ll have equally good experience to be a solicitor, as I would have gained if I’d gone to university.”

The stage is set for 18-year-old Sandwell College learner Katy Forrester, whose A-level results mean she’s off to Lancaster University to study theatre and English literature.

She scored A*AA in English language and literature, drama and theatre, and sociology.

“Thank you to the supportive staff and subject lecturers who were always reassuring and gave me confidence boosters whenever I lost faith,” she said.

Leyton Sixth Form College student Keisha Asamoah is off to Manchester University to study politics and social anthropology, after achieving an amazing A*AAB in her A-levels in communication and culture, media studies, politics and government, and history.

The 19-year-old is clearly focused on the future. She says she enjoyed studying at the SFC thanks to its “studious” environment which “helped me progress onto my chosen career”.

Just five years after he arrived in the UK, 20-year-old Bradford College student Ghulam Murtaza Butt is one step closer to his dream career as an aeronautical engineer after scoring AAB in A-level maths, chemistry and physics.

After five years of studies at the college, he’s now taking a year off to work in the family business before heading to university next year.

“Bradford College has been great for me. It has been like home and I am pleased to have achieved the grades I did,” he said.

A grades in physics and maths A-levels and a D*D* in BTEC engineering are just the latest accolades for Loughborough College student James Brown.

The 18-year-old was named BTEC Engineering Student of the Year at last month’s BTEC Awards, and was also been named student physicist of the year by physics education charity the Ogden Trust. On top of that, he was recently awarded the college’s George Fraser Award for outstanding academic achievement.

James, who is off to the University of Southampton to study aerospace engineering, isn’t letting his success go to his head, however.

“I’m going for lunch with friends to celebrate but then I’ll just get the bus home. I’m not much of a party person but I’ll still enjoy my success over a good cup of tea!”

Derby College student Saida Acugba is over the moon after receiving her A-level results today. The 19-year-old achieved A*CCA in business, maths, psychology and extended project. She’s now off to the University of Lincoln to study finance.

She professed herself to be “ecstatic” about her results, particularly the A* which she “never expected”.

“I now can’t wait to go to university,” she said.

The overall pass rate at Derby College’s sixth form centre is up one percentage point from last year and now stands at an impressive 97 per cent. The proportion of students scoring the highest grades (A* to B) is at a record level, at 32 per cent.

“We are delighted with these results on all fronts,” said Stacey Adams, the centre’s head.

Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. That was certainly the case for 18-year-old Harry Smales, who is off to Leeds to study maths after scoring A*AB in maths, further maths and physics at Nelson and Colne College.

When he first started his studies Harry was struggling to get through his exams on time, and wasn’t doing as well as he felt he could. On his tutor’s advice, he was tested for visual stress, to aid the way he processes information.

“Since then, I’ve had everything on blue paper instead of white and there was a massive improvement in my progress and achievement, and I was finishing my exam questions.

“I’d definitely recommend Nelson and Colne College to others. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and it’s a shame it has only been two years!” he said.

Students at Wakefield College managed an impressive 97 per cent pass rate in this year’s A-level results – the 15th year in a row the college’s pass rate has been over 95 per cent.

Among the college’s high-fliers are 18-year-old Andzelika Duda, who is off to the University of Sheffield to study medicine after achieving ABBB in maths, chemistry, biology and extended project.

“I’m very happy with what I have got. I had great teachers that always supported me, and I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.

Wakefield College principal Sam Wright said she was “absolutely delighted” with this year’s results.

“I along with all the senior team and governors, would like to congratulate all of our students and staff on their hard work and success.”

It’s not just A-level students getting their long-awaited results this week – BTEC learners have also been finding out if all their hard work has paid off.

It definitely has for 21-year-old Paola Simoes Gomez, who is off to study mechanical engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University after achieving D*D*D* in her BTEC level three  in engineering at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (part of Newcastle and Stafford College Group).

Paola arrived in the UK from Venezuela in 2014 to improve her English, but was unable to return due to the political unrest in the country. She began her studies at the college on a foundation level course before progressing through to her BTEC course. Her journey was far from smooth, however: in 2015 she was hit by a van on her way to college and nearly lost her foot as a result, and shortly afterwards she was abandoned by the relative she’d been staying with.

“The college saw potential in me and have been really supportive. And my dad is so proud of me – he always said I should do engineering,” Paola said.

We kick off today’s blog at Blackburn College, where students achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in 23 subjects – an increase of five subjects from last year.

Among those celebrating their results today are Unaisa Adam (pictured above left) who achieved A*AA in her chemistry, biology and psychology A-levels. She’s now heading to the University of Manchester to study a BSc in optometry.

“My future ambition is to become an optometrist and I hope to maybe one day manage my own firm of opticians. Blackburn College has helped me to be confident in my academic abilities and pushed me to follow my ambitions of becoming an optometrist,” she said.

[pictured above: l-r top Unaisa Adam, Abdullah Ali, Lotte Neil, l-r bottom Stella Robinson, Tabassum Vaka, Jessica Carrie]

Popular apprenticeship standard to be hit with £2k funding rate cut, claims employer group

One of the most popular apprenticeship standards is in line for a more than 20 per cent funding rate cut, according to the employer group that developed it.

The level two hair professional standard was one of 31 named by the Institute for Apprenticeships in May as part of its funding band review.

It had 4,940 starts in the first nine months of 2017/18, making it the seventh most popular standard, and currently attracts a maximum funding rate of £9,000.

However, this is set to be cut to £7,000, according to the Trailblazer group behind it.

“The government’s aim was to have a flagship apprenticeship programme which cannot be achieved if there is insufficient funding,” said Wendy Cummins, who chaired the group.

“The hair professional standards took two years for employers to develop, with constant policy changes which were both frustrating and time-consuming. Just as the industry is adopting the new style standards, this blow falls.”

Trevor Luker, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ sector lead, urged the government to leave the standard “as it is” until “there is more empirical evidence to support a review, based on known costs and outcomes”.

Mr Luker is a director of the London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy, and would therefore be hit by the funding cut.

It is understood that any decision to change the funding band will need to be signed off by the education secretary, Damian Hinds.

The IfA has also committed to a minimum two-month notice period before the changes come into effect for any new starts.

The launch of the funding band review in May followed an earlier announcement that the number of bands would increase from 15 to 30 – a move that the Department for Education said was because employers did not “feel able” to negotiate on price.

According to the published standard the hair professional apprenticeship has an estimated duration of 24 months.

But many of the vacancies listed on the government’s Find apprenticeship training website list the duration as between 12 and 18 months.

Of the 4,940 starts between August and October 2017/18, almost 90 per cent – or 4,330 – were for 16- to 18-year-olds.

Given that most salons are likely to employ fewer than 50 people, and therefore don’t have to pay an employer contribution, it is unlikely that any will have negotiated on the price.

Furthermore, training the youngest apprentices attracts a £1,000 provider incentive – which means that providers could be claiming a total of £10,000 to deliver a 12- to 18-month apprenticeship.

The 31 standards included in the IFA’s funding review:

Is degree apprenticeship a viable alternative to university?

There’s been a lot of talk of degree apprenticeships as a great alternative to university. Just this morning, education secretary Damian Hinds tweeted that there is a “huge range of opportunity” for students collecting results today, “whether it’s university, college, starting an apprenticeship or entering the world of work”.

With degree apprenticeships typically paying salaries of £15,000 – £20,000, compared to annual tuition fees of £9,000, the finances make sense. Plus, you get to work in your chosen field for three to five years, become proficient on the job, receive time off for training and study and still come out with a degree.

So what opportunities are there for A-level students looking for degree apprenticeships today?

Disguised as 18-year-olds (or parents of the same…) FE Week did some mystery shopping, and here’s what we found.

1/ There are virtually no degree apprenticeships available

On A-level results day, are only 117 places currently being advertised for degree apprenticeships across the whole of England, compared to over 30,000 university courses with places still available this morning, according to UCAS (after 411,860 places were accepted).

In fact, degree apprenticeships at level 6 (equivalent to a standard university undergraduate degree) make up only 0.3 per cent of all apprenticeship adverts on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service.

Level 4-7 apprenticeships make up just 1.8 per cent of the total (359 adverts), with level 2 and 3 occupying a whopping 98.2 per cent (19,677 adverts).

Apprenticeship adverts by level on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service 16/08/2018

FE Week found only five civil engineer degree apprenticeship positions listed for England: three in London, and one in each of Norwich and St Ives. The civil engineer degree apprenticeship is a five-year course, with a typical annual salary of  around £15,000, with entry requirements ranging from ‘BBC’ to three ‘A’ grades at A-level.

There were no results for professions such as solicitor or architect.

Eight positions are listed for the three-year level 5 laboratory scientist apprenticeship starting this autumn, in various locations from Scunthorpe to Slough. The standard requirement is 80 UCAS points (BB or CDD at A-level) including A-level biology, although some employers state they are more flexible, allowing A-level equivalents such as BTEC. There is just one five-year level 6 laboratory scientist apprentice opening.

Other degree apprenticeships that are likely to see more opportunities in the near future include manufacturing engineer, digital and technology solutions professional or chartered surveyor.

2/ The National Careers Service doesn’t offer additional advice

The government is pushing the National Careers Service as the place to look for careers advice, but they don’t offer any additional advice on where to find degree apprenticeships.

The NCS website pushes users towards the Find an Apprenticeship service, and when FE Week asked a helpline advisor about degree apprenticeships, we were told again, to check the Find an Apprenticeship website, the UCAS website or the Institute for Apprenticeships website (which again, redirects to Find an Apprenticeship).

UCAS is currently advertising just 121 higher and degree (level 4-6) apprenticeships across England.

The NCS helpline advisor also told us that employers sometimes advertise independently, and that more degree apprenticeships will be available soon.

3/ There are no nursing degree apprenticeship vacancies

Aspiring nurses will have to apply via the university route, which costs £9000, or wait until the January intake, when more nursing degree apprenticeship opportunities will become available, said Lucy Hunte, National Programme Manager for Apprenticeships at Health Education England. She added that Imperial College in London will advertise about 50 nurse apprenticeship openings “in the next few days”.

There are several reasons for the lack of nurse apprenticeship positions. One is that the first wave of apprentice nurses have all been existing healthcare assistants within the NHS. “We did have a lot of healthcare assistants that aspire to be nurses but with the removal of the bursary they couldn’t resign from their jobs and go down that route,” Hunte told FE Week.

Another is that it has been “a huge battle” to get universities to adapt their programmes to the new apprenticeship standard, she added. The Nursing & Midwifery Council then has to approve each university apprenticeship provider, which is adding to the backlog.

This is despite there being around 40,000 nursing vacancies across the country.

4/ Many degree apprenticeships are still under development

Degree apprenticeships are new, so the available places are currently low. The number of people starting apprenticeships at all levels has been dropping since the government reformed the system, despite their intention for an increase in apprenticeship places.

But the good news is that more degree apprenticeship standards are being developed, and as more employers and universities develop their courses, the number of opportunities is likely to grow rapidly over the next few years.

Apprenticeship standards approved by level on 16/08/2018

Over 90 per cent of universities have joined the government’s register of apprenticeship training providers, which suggests that they are intending to provide them at some juncture.

What seems to be missing, however, is for more employers to sign up to provide them – as FE Week recently found out. A university is unable to run a degree apprenticeship without an employer willing to take on the apprentice (and pay their wage!).

 

So, what should A-level students looking for degree apprenticeships do?

  • Keep an eye on the Find an Apprenticeship service. New opportunities are appearing all the time.
  • If you know which industry you want to go into, why not approach an employer directly? If they’re not sure how to go about taking on an apprentice, you can point them to the government’s Hire an apprentice website.  
  • And if you want to be really proactive, you can check out the Institute for Apprenticeships website to see which new apprenticeship standards have been approved, and point your potential employer in the right direction!
    The IfA’s list of approved degree-level apprenticeships includes professions such as: Digital and technology solutions professional, Aerospace engineer, Nuclear scientist and nuclear engineer, Clinical trials specialist, Geospatial mapping and science, Paramedic, Podiatrist, Police constable and Professional economist.

Ofsted given final say over new apprenticeship provider quality

Ofsted has officially been given the final say over poor-performing apprenticeship providers following an early monitoring visit, the Education and Skills Funding Agency has confirmed today.

FE Week reported back in May that the move was on the cards, following embarrassment for the government over apprenticeship accountability.

According to the ESFA’s ‘Removal from register of apprenticeship training providers and eligibility to receive public funding to deliver apprenticeship training’, updated today, any provider making ‘insufficient progress’ in at least one of the themes under review will be barred from taking on any new apprentices – either directly or through a subcontracting arrangement.

They can continue to work with existing apprentices, but must tell the employers, and any lead providers, about the monitoring visit outcome.

These restrictions will remain in place until the provider has received a full inspection and been awarded at least a grade three for its apprenticeship provision.

The ESFA can only overrule this guidance if it “identifies an exceptional extenuating circumstance”.

FE Week reported in May that Ofsted was set to be given these new powers – along with up to £7 million more cash to visit every new apprenticeship provider.

That followed an Education select committee hearing at which skills minister Anne Milton admitted it wasn’t clear who was accountable for quality at these new providers.

There had been considerable dismay at mixed messages from the ESFA, which recently permitted a provider to recruit apprentices once more – just two months after Ofsted branded its provision “not fit for purpose”.

FE Week has asked Ofsted if it has received the additional resources, and how soon after a monitoring visit a provider deemed to be making ‘insufficient progress’ would receive a full inspection, but has yet to receive a response.

North-east training provider on the verge of collapse

A training provider in the north-east that held subcontracts worth more than £3 million last year is on the verge of collapse.

JB Skills Training Limited, based in Sunderland, is in talks about bringing in the administrators, according to its managing director Dave Macmillan.

He told FE Week it was “highly likely” the provider would be closing down within weeks.

JB Skills Training, set up in 2014, delivered mainly functional skills provision on behalf of 10 lead providers in 2017/18.

According to the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s most recent list of declared subcontractors, these contracts were worth a combined total of £2.8 million, with the largest being £781,150 with HIT Training.

In addition, it held one subcontract to deliver apprenticeship provision worth £378,000 on behalf of one lead, Brooklands College.

It also had its own non-levy contract worth £686,492, having secured a place on the register of apprenticeship training providers in May 2017.

Mr Macmillan told FE Week that the provider’s demise followed an investigation by the ESFA between August and December 2017.

That was prompted by a “whistleblowing” incident, which he said proved to be “unfounded”.

Nonetheless, all the provider’s prime contractors except HIT Training “withdrew funding” while the investigation was ongoing, during which time “we continued to support learners at our own costs”, he claimed.

Although the other lead providers returned once they got the all-clear from the ESFA “it was too late to be able to recover from the period where there were no earnings,” Mr Macmillan said.

Falling apprenticeship numbers were also partly to blame, he added.

The provider has just 11 learners on programme at the moment, all of whom are on apprenticeships, he said.

“We are working with the ESFA to find new providers who will continue with the learners positively.”

Jill Whittaker, managing director of HIT Training, confirmed that JB Skills Training had delivered functional skills training on their behalf.

Their completion rates were “very high”, and HIT’s own internal compliance team “rated them as grade two”.

“I am sorry to see them go as they are a good organisation with the interests of their learners at heart,” she added.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We do not comment on any investigations, ongoing or otherwise.”