A new enquiry panel has been set up to review the poor management of apprenticeships by providers. Perspective, a leading UK supplier of learning management software to the education community, hopes the news will help solidify the value of apprenticeships in the future.
The enquiry panel will review apprenticeships deemed “a cause for concern” and measures will be introduced to ensure all adult apprenticeships are of “sufficient length” to deliver the training that employers require. The National Apprenticeship Service will also release new guidance on the implementation of quality standards will be published.
The panel will report directly to Skills Minister John Hayes as part of a plan to increase the government’s efforts to safeguard and improve the quality and standards of apprenticeships. At a time when unemployment levels are rising apprenticeships have become a key stepping stone on the pathway to finding work.
A number of developments have been implemented in recent months to rectify the declining value of certain apprenticeships. These include a minimum 12-month period for 16-18 year olds’ apprenticeships from August 2012, new contracts to ensure training providers act according to new regulations and safeguards to strengthen monitoring, reporting and subcontracting arrangements. Along with the new enquiry panel, these are encouraging signs for the strengthening of the value of apprenticeships in the future.
Paul Davis, managing director of Perspective, commented: “Perspective welcomes the introduction of the new government enquiry panel. At a time when youth unemployment is so high the value of apprenticeships has increased dramatically. With a large number of young people also reported to be dropping out of education due to the replacement of the EMA with the government’s bursary fund, the new enquiry panel will hopefully ensure apprenticeships remain as worthwhile as possible.”
Perspective is a leading student management system provider. For more information about how Perspective can help streamline your learner management, please visit www.perspective-uk.com or call 0121 506 9540.
