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10 April 2026

Tag: apprenticeships

Here are 3 ways to improve inclusivity in apprenticeships

Existing apprenticeship providers should reach out to smaller businesses to encourage them to offer training, writes Linda Martin It’s a turbulent time for the planet’s young people. The increasing likelihood of recession, heightened awareness of the climate crisis, continued displacement of people from war-torn countries – there are plenty of reasons why our youth are […]

Five reasons apprentices like me are dropping out

Training providers are struggling to give clear instructions on what’s expected of apprentices, writes Dexter Hutchings I started my level 3 in digital marketing in February 2017 and throughout my degree apprenticeship, I have felt like dropping out. But never have I been closer to doing so than now, as I tackle my end-point assessment […]

AELP National Conference 2022 – Book your place now!

Taking place on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 June, the 2022 AELP National Conference will be held at the Novotel London West. Kindly sponsored by The Skills Network, this flagship event in the calendar is a must-attend conference for anybody within the skills and employability sector. We are delighted that this year’s conference will be […]

Why parents are the barrier to apprenticeship uptake

The challenge to apprenticeship uptake is the stigma of the route for parents, writes Ben Hansford In the UK, university is still broadly viewed as the default path for school leavers. A university degree is seen as the most respected route for young jobseekers which, in the eyes of many, guarantees them a ‘successful’ job. […]

Sharon Blyfield, head of early careers at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Sharon Blyfield, head of early careers at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, finished her BTEC at college and rose to the top at one of the world’s biggest brands. She talks to Jess Staufenberg about the ‘employer-led system’ and the scandal of apprentice pay Employers occupy a curious space in FE. They are the raison d’être for […]

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, chair, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, who became chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education in August, is overseeing 280 staff and huge responsibilities. What makes her tick? Jess Staufenberg finds out  Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith is telling me a story. She remembers being chief executive of Mitie, a facilities management outsourcing company, and talking to a […]

Apprenticeship reform starts with the school calendar

The apprenticeship cycle needs to move in line with university applications, writes Jo Foster To kick-start apprenticeships in this country we need to be bold. Today, there is a stigma around apprenticeships where they are seen as “less than” a university degree. The perceived wisdom is that a student who wants to progress in life […]