Greater Together - Growing Apprenticeships and Traineeships (24 March 2015)

GREATER TOGETHERGrowing Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Yorkshire andThe Humber

Welcome

Agenda

09:30 Arrival, Registration and Refreshments

10:00 Welcome and Scene Setting Anthony Knowles, SFA\NAS

10:15 Employer Perspective Delroy Beverley, Incommunities

10:45 NAS Employer Engagement Anthony Knowles, SFA\NAS

11:15 Break

11:30 LEP Priorities Annabel Jelley, York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEPDavid Sullivan, Humber LEPCatherine Lunn, Leeds City Region LEP

12:15 Questions and Answers

12:30 Lunch

13:15 Examples of Collaborative Working Don Brearley, West Yorkshire Learning ProvidersCaroline Rowley, AoC and Louise Tearle , West Yorkshire Consortium of CollegesFrank McMahon, YH Training Services

14:00 Barriers to Engagement Round Table Discussions

14:45 Feedback

15:00 Summary and Close Take away tea and coffee!

3

apprenticeships.gov.uk

The Economy

4


Economic Benefits

National Apprenticeship Service

£1.566bn investment in 2013-14

£18 of economic benefit for every £1 (National Audit Office)

Govt. estimate put this at £28 forevery pound invested

Productivity £214 / week

Best value for money of all‘post 16’ options

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Scene SettingSubtitle here


• Funding envelope• Election • Richard Review implementation

• Employer Driven • New Standards• Funding

• Customer focussed service• Ease of access, simplicity• Brand• Partnership

6


Greater Together?


Focus of today:

Growing ApprenticeshipsEmployer Engagement IdeasWhat works?What we can do?Sharing with othersOvercoming barriersWorking together

Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

Delroy BeverleyIncommunitiesYorkshire and The Humber

Network Chair

MinisterMinister

National Apprenticeship Service/Skills Funding

AgencyResponsible for providing

the secretariat and support to the AAN

National Apprenticeship Service/Skills Funding

AgencyResponsible for providing

the secretariat and support to the AAN


David Meller, ChairResponsible for:

• Direction• Drive• Employer

Engagement


David Meller, ChairResponsible for:

• Direction• Drive• Employer

Engagement

Jason HoltSME Ambassador

(Supported by Ambassador Community)

Jason HoltSME Ambassador

(Supported by Ambassador Community)

Chairs of the Local Apprenticeship

Ambassador Networks x 10

Chairs of the Local Apprenticeship

Ambassador Networks x 10

Gordon Birtwistle MP

Business Ambassador

Gordon Birtwistle MP

Business Ambassador

Andrew Jones MPParliamentary Ambassador

Andrew Jones MPParliamentary Ambassador

Employer Ambassadors

(currently known as the national AAN)

Employer Ambassadors

(currently known as the national AAN)

• Responsible for all MP engagement

• Focused upon underperforming constituencies

Responsible for:• External

engagement• Listening and

reporting

• Local geographic champions driving the ambition /targets through their local employer engagement plans

• National sector champions leading and driving growth within their sectors across England

• Responsible for supporting the ambition to engage 140,000 SMEs by 2015

Who are we?

The Minister and Chairs Ambition

• AAN work is very high on Government’s agenda, strong backing of the Minister

• ‘Business to business’ - The Minister is very clear he wants employers to promote Apprenticeships ‘business to business

• Minister specifically wanted to see the Local Ambassador Networks grow

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/170

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

500,000

The Ambition is to increase workplaces with apprenticeships from 10% to 20% by 2016

Actual Trend F'cast / projection

Workplaces with apprentices 11/12 – 13/14 (Q3)

The Minister and Chairs ambition

Workplaces with apprentices: Where we are now and ambition

Estimated Apprentices in Workplaces

LAAN 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14Total

Workplaces 2012/13

Total Workplaces

2013/14

% of Workplaces

with Apprentices

2012/13

% of Workplaces

with Apprentices

2013/14

Proposed Ambition Ambition %

NE 11,900 13,700 14,500 75,375 78,205 18.20% 18.50% 22,700 29%

YH 20,800 24,000 25,900 176,580 181,395 13.60% 14.30% 45,300 25%

National 204,800 228,700 240,400 2,234,315 2,322,370 10.20% 10.40% 446,100 20%

Ambassador Networks Primary Focus

• Action orientated group focussed on opening doors

• Increase proportion of workplaces engaged in Apprenticeships from 10% in 2012/13 to 20% in 2016/17

• Expand networks

• Personal Action Plans

Ambassador Chair’s View

Employer Engagement

The employer perspective, what works well, what could be improved?

Working together

How can providers, colleges and partners (LEPS etc.) help the network achieve it’s aims?

NAS Approach

Anthony KnowlesHead of Employer and Delivery Services – North East

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apprenticeships.gov.uk National Apprenticeship Service

Over400

Employersalready involved in redesigningApprenticeships

Over2.1m

Apprenticeshipstarts this Parliament. We are committed to delivering at least 2 million.

96% Employers who take on an apprentice say their business benefited.

£117kExtra income earned by someone who completes a Level 3 Apprenticeship

Amount we invested in Apprenticeships last year

Return for every pound that Government invests in Apprenticeships

£1 £28

Number of ‘full Apprenticeships’ has trebled since 2009/10

£1.5 bn

Over 220,000

Workplaces already offeringApprenticeships

At least 12 monthsDuration for Apprenticeships

8 out of 11

Industrial Strategy sectors already covered by our Trailblazers

NewHigherApprenticeshipsIn occupations like space engineer and

pilot

68,000Apprenticeships in smaller businesses supported by our Grant for Employers

Over 23,000Apprenticeships pledged during National Apprenticeships Week 2015

By 2017/18

All Apprenticeship starts will be on new employer-led standards

Organisations representing half a million businesses support reforms

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What we do?

• Employers• SMEs• Large Employers

• Find an apprenticeship• Brand• Campaigns• Partners

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Engaging with SME’s

• Small Business Team• Employer Commitment• Service Standard• Provider Search Tool• Intermediaries• Supply chains• Apprenticemakers

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Account Management How’s Business?


Our approach is to listen and aska business to tell us about…

What the company does?

Current priorities?

Long term aims?

Apprenticeship fit?

Getting the most from Apprenticeships

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What can Apprenticeships Deliver for your Business?


Increase: Government investment in your

workforce Staff commitment and motivation

(88%) Productivity (81%) Customer base (81%) Skills base with your business (82%)

Reduce: Recruitment costs (75%) Time and effort associated with

recruiting (80%) Staff turnover (80%)

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What can Apprenticeships do for your Business?


Succession planning \ future talent pool

Fresh ideas

Address demographic issues

Workforce and developmento Existing staffo Mentors

Corporate social responsibility

Public relations

Open new doors and markets

Supports procurement and tendering bids

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Brand - Apprenticeship Week 2015

Marketing ApprenticeshipsBrand resources

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Support Campaigns


@Apprenticeships @AppVacancies @TraineeshipsGov

#GetInGoFar #NAW2015 #GreaterTogether

Brand - The Shop Window


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Businesses Who Have Used `Find an Apprenticeship` www.gov.uk/applyapprenticeship

Brand - Awards 2015

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• Do we have an apprenticeship / traineeship growth strategy?

• What are our apprenticeship aims?• What proportion of employers we work

with of different sizes ( eg. SME / Large have started apprentices this year?

• Who are our top ten customers?• What percentage of their workforce are

apprentices?• Do we work with their customers and

supply chains?• How many new employers have we

engaged in the last 12 months?

Your strategy

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• What proportion of vacancies do we advertise on Find an apprenticeship?

• What proportion of our starts are in each age band?

• How do we align with LEP priorities?• In what subject areas do we offer

progression from intermediate to advanced to higher apprenticeship?

• Which of the new standards are we delivering?

• Who can we work in partnership with?

Your strategy


Thank you

More information

Visit: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk


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Break

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP

Annabel Jelley

Strategic Economic Plan5 priorities:

Profitable and ambitious small and micro businessesA global leader in food manufacturing, agritech and biorenewablesInspired PeopleSuccessful and distinctive placesA well connected economy

Context

Inspired People

• Increase productivity by investing in workforce skills

• Build competitive advantage through higher level skills

• Increase employability by connecting business to education

• Build skills, attitude and ambition to help people access jobs

• Support high quality apprenticeships and internships

• Develop strong communities and active inclusion

A global leader in food manufacturing, agritech and biorenewables

Why is this a priority?What does this mean for skills?

National Agri Food Innovation Campus

Food & Environment Research Agency (FERA)

Bio-renewables expertiseBioRenewables Development

CentreUniversity of York

Biology

Agri-Food

Manufacturing

Technology

Agriculture

PlasticsChemicalsMedicines

Biorenewables

e.g. Enzymes

The Bioeconomy is the crops, animals and other biological resources and their conversion into food, bio based products and bioenergy typically via innovative and efficient technologies.

Technologies can benefit the agricultural industry and this is referred to as agri-tech

Biology Agri- Food

Manufacturing

Technology

Agriculture

Biorenewables

Seed improvementCrop HarvestingCrop StorageInfrastructureICT and Support SystemsFertiliserSoil Physics+ Chemistry

These technologies can benefit the manufacture of plastics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals / health sectors which is an example of biological technology (bio-tech)

EnzymesHuman Health and Genetics

Some technologies are biological but also benefit the agricultural industry so are both agri and bio-tech

Plant and Animal Health Soil Biology

Genetics and BreedingNutrition

EnvironmentalEngineering

Medicines ChemicalsPlastics

Manufacturing

A few things to remember…Other sectors are important to the economy such as construction and care Businesses don’t identify with sectors especially not new ones such as agritechSmall and microbusinesses make up the vast majority

A few facts and figures about the current and future labour market

Agri-Food9%

Arts, Creative and Recreation2%

Construction;7%

Customer Service Sector24%

Energy & Low Carbon; and Biorenewables

1%Engineering and Manufacturing,

12%

Financial & Business Services and Administration; (Includes

public admin and defence)17%

Health and Social Care;17%

I.T and Communication4%

Logistics & Transport and Wholesale;8%

Current LEP Employment breakdown

Skills Investment – what are we training people to do?

Health and Social CareBusiness and Administration

HospitalityConstruction Building

RetailCustomer Service

Children and Young People's WorkforceHairdressing

ManagementCatering and Professional Chefs

Vehicle Maintenance and RepairEngineering Manufacture

AccountingElectrotechnical

Exercise and FitnessFood and Drink

IT, Software, Web and Telecoms ProfessionalsImproving Operational Performance

Barbering

570 570

330 320

300 290

270 250

230 220

190 150

110 90

80 80 80 80

70

Top 20 Apprenticeship Frameworks for people aged 16-24delivered in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding (Number of Starts)

2013/142012/13

Construction

Arts and Recreation

Finance & Insurance

Information & communication

Manufacturing

Professional & Other Private Services

Health

Transport & storage

Customer Service

0.0035 0.035 0.35 3.5 35

Mismatch between Learning and Employment

York

Selby

Scarborough

Ryedale

Richmondshire

Harrogate

Hambleton

East Riding

Craven

TOO LOWProportion of Employment / Proportion of Education

TOO HIGH

Apprenticeships by Level

2012/13 2013/14

Advanced Level Apprenticeship 3,940 2,710

Higher Apprenticeship 145 170

Intermediate Level Apprenticeship 5420 5,390

Grand Total 9,500 8,270

Framework Name 2012/13 2013/14

Care Leadership and Management 0 80

Accounting 50 30

Agriculture 0 20

Management 20 20

Business and Professional Administration 0 10

Manufacturing Engineering 0 10

Business and Administration 10 0

Missing (Not Applicable/ Not Known) 60 0

Grand Total 150 170

Higher Apprenticeships delivered in the LEP (rounded to nearest 10)

Summary

1. Bioeconomy is important driver of the economy but it’s not the only show in town2. More Apprenticeships in priority areas 3. Increase Higher Level Apprenticeships

Humber Apprentice Support Service (HASS)

Dave Sullivan 24/03/2015

Background to HASS

Skills commission objective ‘to Increase the take–up of apprenticeships through the development of a new apprenticeship infrastructure tailored to the needs of local employers’

Manager and brokers employed Oct/Nov 2014Initially 5 months project

Aims of the Service

Reduce barriers to small and medium sized employers by offering impartial guidance and support

Enhance existing services between training providers and employers.

Increase number of people going into apprenticeships

Achievement so far Initially focused on unfilled vacancies Contacted large number of training providers

across the Humber area Increased employer engagement – Jobcentre,

networking events, referrals from business advisers, word of mouth

Matching applicants to vacancies/employer follow up

Challenges and opportunities

Achieve targets

Continue to raise profile of apprenticeships with applicants and employers

Supply applicants who are apprenticeship

ready

Continue engagement with employers

Next steps

HASS extended until June 2015

• Exploring possible options for funding

• Develop work in schools

• Organising events for those leaving education with employer involvement

Contacts• Manager – Gill Stevenson

e-mail [email protected] 0778 7554241

• North Bank Broker – Dave Sullivane-mail [email protected] Mobile 0774 0408071

• South Bank Broker – Jenny Vincente-mail [email protected] 0771 8100809

mailto:[email protected]



APPROACH TO APPRENTICESHIP GROWTH/EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

CATHERINE LUNNLEP APPRENTICESHIP HUB MANAGER

LEEDS CITY REGION ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP

LEEDS CITY REGION ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP VISION

Our vision:

“To unlock the potential of the City Region, developing an economic powerhouse that will create jobs and prosperity”

Our strategic pillars:

1. Supporting growing businesses2. Developing a skilled and flexible workforce3. Building a resource smart City Region4. Delivering the infrastructure for growth

LEEDS CITY REGION ECONOMY• UK’s largest city region economy

outside London

• £56bn economy – 5% of England’s total economic output; bigger than 9 EU countries

• Population of 3 million; workforce of 1.4m – largest and fastest growing in the North

• 109,000 businesses

• UK’s largest manufacturing centre with 139,000 jobs

• Largest regional financial and professional services sector

• 8 HEIs; 14 FE colleges

Generic Skills/Education

• Work readiness

• Maths & English

• Core skills & flexibility

• Enterprise & innovation

• Increase Apprenticeships

• Youth unemployment

• Higher level skilled jobs

• Leadership & management

LEEDS CITY REGION ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPSKILLS PRIORITIES 2012/14

Specific Sector Needs

• Careers guidance re. STEM – engineering

• Skills gaps e.g. IT software

• Low carbon economy

• Overseas trade

• Longer term increases in FBS, transport, hospitality, retail, construction, health & care jobs

1 BUILDING SKILLS IN EDUCATION

• Strengthen school-employer links to raise English and Maths aspirations and improve core employability skills needs

• Extend enterprise and mentoring support within schools and for young people/entrepreneurs

• Expand learning provision in growth and priority sectors

2 TRANSITION INTO WORK

• Increase work placement opportunities and give learners more exposure to employers

• Increase the scale of Apprenticeships across the City Region

• Continue to promote better informed careers advice in schools and by job advisors

• Encourage employer co-investment in priority skills areas via the Leeds City Region Skills Fund

• Target current and new European funds at specific workforce skills gaps (eg engineering, software design)

• Pursue options for extending higher level skills provision in areas where it is currently lacking

3 RAISING SKILLS AND IMPROVING DEMAND

LEEDS CITY REGION ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITYSTRATEGIC• LEP is employer led and governance groups all have an average 50/50

mix• Sector Champions• Communications/marketing activity

OPERATIONAL/DELIVERY ACTIVITY• Business grants and loans programme• 5 3 1• Apprenticeship Hub Programme• HeadStart• Skills Service (EOP)• Better Informed Choices• Enterprise Advisers• Growth Service

LEEDS CITY REGION CITY DEAL APPRENTICESHIP HUB PROGRAMMEBACKGROUND

• Part of Leeds City Region City Deal discussions with Government• £4.6m from BIS (contracted via Skills Funding Agency Nov ‘12 to March ‘16)• Supports our ambition to create a NEET free City Region

OVERVIEW

• 2 Apprenticeship Training Agencies (ATA)Leeds (launched November 2012)Bradford (launched May 2013)

• 8 Apprenticeship HubsBarnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire (Selby, Craven, Harrogate),Wakefield, York

• Increase engagement of SMEs in Apprenticeships across the Leeds City Region to 7,500 by securing commitment from an additional 2,142 SMEs who have never offered an Apprenticeship or have not offered a placement within the last 12 months

• Generate 2,500 new additional Apprenticeship opportunities across the Leeds City Region for 16 – 24 year olds

• To create two new ATAs across the Leeds City Region

• To raise awareness and engagement of young people (16 to 24 year olds) in Apprenticeships (priority group 16 – 18 year olds) and as an option to work in schools from 14+. This can also include awareness raising with parents/carers, teachers, school governors etc.

KEY CRITERIA/TARGETS

SUPPORT

Hubs and ATAs offer hands-on support designed to:

• Provide a central local point of contact for free, independent and better co-ordinated advice and support which explains the benefits of Apprenticeships to SMEs (each Hub and ATA model is different and responds to local infrastructure)

• Supports SMEs in the preparation and selection of training providers and apprentices

• Brings together providers to co-ordinate marketing activity and provision

• Provides opportunities for collaborative and complementary working with NAS

MILESTONES (as at end of February 2015)

• 1754 SMEs engaged• 1216 Apprentice Starts

ENGAGEMENT/MARKETING

• Providers• SMEs• Young People

PROGRESS AND ACTIVITY

EMPLOYER OWNERSHIP PILOT/SKILLS SERVICE

AIM

To introduce flexibility and financial support into the hands of employers allowing them to put in place the skills solutions they require to develop and grow their business.

BACKGROUND

• £17.5 million programme (co-financing of employers skills requirements and establishment of a Skills Service)

• Officially launched on 5 February 2015 by Chancellor (operational to March 2017)

• Targets SMEs in sectors which present the greatest opportunities for economic and employment growth (seven sectors)

• Delivered and administered by a consortium led by Calderdale College with Leeds City College, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

• Calderdale College will manage the training provider supply chain

THE FUTURE

• Increased collaboration between LEP programmes and partner/stakeholder services to provide a streamlined and holistic service for the business community

• Continue and strengthen the excellent relationship with the LEP Skills Network

• ESIF

• Responsive to future government policy and programmes

GENERAL LEP INFO Website: www.the-lep.com Join our mailing list: [email protected] Twitter: @LeedsCityRegion

LEP APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMMEProgramme website (includes local Hub and ATA contact details): www.apprenticeship-hubs.co.uk Programme Manager: [email protected] Tel: 0771 221 4906

LEP SKILLS SERVICEProgramme website: www.the-lep.com/skillsserviceTel: 0113 3861 861Email: [email protected]

USEFUL LINKS

http://www.the-lep.com/


http://www.apprenticeship-hubs.co.uk/


http://www.the-lep.com/skillsservice


THANK YOU

Questions?

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Lunch

Restart 13:15

Partnership working & collaborating

What’s this?

2012/13 - 2017/18 = Business Opportunity

Our collaborative model

WYLP

STAKEHOLDERS

PROVIDERS

LEARNERS

EMPLOYERS

Stakeholder engagement

stakeholders

government

LEPS

Employer Bodies

Local Authorities

Provider collaboration

providers

ITPs

VCS

Associates

FE Colleges

Learner market

learners

apprentices

trainees

NEETS

School leavers

Employer market

employers

growth sectors

new technology

sectors

work placement

SMEs

Grow Apprenticeships

• Developing the apprenticeship offer for 16 to 24 year olds

Grow Traineeships

• Traineeship Staff Support Programme – road shows

Grow employers

• Delivering the LEPs skills priorities

Collaboration & Partnership

West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges

Aims & Objectives

The West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges is a partnership between the Further Education Colleges in West Yorkshire. A company ltd by guarantee.

The members of the consortium are the 7 colleges of Further Education in West Yorkshire. The Principal of each college is invited to be a director of the company. The directors meet on a regular basis every four months.

The aims of the WYCC as stated in the Memorandum & Articles of Association are to:

• To assist colleges in West Yorkshire to meet the further education and training requirements of the sub-region

• To promote curriculum development initiatives and to further these initiatives by encouraging joint bids to sources of funding:

• To assist in meeting the training needs of the staff in the WYCC• To engage in arrangements with a range of contracting bodies as agreed by the Principals

of the WYCC

West Yorkshire Colleges Contribute £1.8bn to the economy annually

http://westyorkshirecolleges.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/wycc-emsi-leaflet.png

FE’s Strong Economic Impact

Model of Partnership

Common Purpose: To help employers access skills & training that will develop & grow their business

Leeds City Region Skills Network Members

Aims & Objectives

The aim of Leeds City Region Skills Network, led by West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) is to:

• Increase employer and individuals engagement and investment in skills

• Strengthen joint working between employers, the LEP/ESB and skills providers

• Improve the effectiveness of skills investment

Signed by over 25 members and partners including:

Principals,Chief Executives University Leaders

LEP summit: Realise the Potential

Skills Needs Research Published

Joint Skills Partnership Agreement signed by all partners

Skills Minister Celebrates Partnership Agreement

Positive Start to Partnership

“What Do Employers Want?” Event

Awarded Have a Go Contract

Skills Plan Published

2011/122nd Annual Event “Working Together with the LEP”

Awarded the Skills Show Experience Contract

Skills Capital Settlement £74m Largest in the country

Skills Priorities Progress Report

Skills Capital Grants Awarded

2013/14

2015

Skills Funding in excess of £100m including:

• Work Place Learning• Skills Enhancement Fund• The Response Project (Skills Support for the

Workforce)• LEP Skills Service

Funding

• £50 million (ESF)• Yorkshire & Humber• Upskilling the workforce• Upskilled 70000+ individuals• Over 7,000 business

invested in training• Significant impact on:

o company cultureo staff retentiono productivity

• £55.7 million (ESF)• North of England • 200+ Supply Chain• Support low skilled employed

individuals • Fully funded training • Strong progression routes

o 26000 individuals trainedo 302 Apprenticeships Starts

• £10 million (ESF)• Fully funded training to:

o Enhance skillso Drive forward productivityo Advance the career prospects

of staff

• Strategically driven by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership to drive economic growth

LEP Skills Service

• £2 million (EOP)• Flexible co-funding £14m (EOP)• Employer driven initiative

o Consortium Initiative o Plugs the Skills Gap

o Sector Skill Solutions• Intrinsic component of the wider

LEP Business Growth Service• 1000 Apprenticeship Referrals

For more information contact:

Louise Tearle, Partnership DirectorWest Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges & Leeds City Region Skills Network

[email protected]@WYCColleges @LCRSkillsNetwk


Greater Together -

Growing Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Leeds 24/03/15

Working Together

• AELP - your voice!• AELP is working with BIS on new funding

system and new standards• No fundamental changes until 2017?• AELP are supporting providers in many ways

enquiries @aelp.org.uk/T: 0117 986 5389

Working Together

• YH has a number of subcontractors who it works with and is happy to support other providers where possible

• We are currently working with WYLP to help improve the delivery of Traineeships in the region

• We work with employers ranging from the NHS to small businesses

Working Together

Working with the YAS:• Commenced in 2008• Has grown to include various occupational

areas• One area is training PTS drivers using YAS staff

to provide occupational knowledge• We also work with various doctors surgeries• We have just started work with York Hospital

Trust

Working Together

• Currently working with several large employers who are expanding their Apprenticeship provision or are new to Apprenticeships

• However the vast majority of our business is dealing with small local employers

• With all of our employers we look to build up a long term working relationship

Working Together

Have we been successful?• In most cases YES!• We have grown our Apprenticeship provision

by over 30% in the last year• Over the last 18 months we have successfully

responded to and delivered Traineeships – although mainly 16-18

• Our Apprenticeship QSR 13/14 was 80.4% v 68.9% national!!

Working Together

Some Key Messages:• Be patient with new employers • Identify what employers need, not what you

have to sell!• Don’t undersell your high skills and high

expertise• Be POSITIVE, you are operating in a growth area• Be aware of future possible changes but focus

on the NOW

Barriers to Employer Engagement

Round Table Discussions

110


• Cost/limited resources especially for SMEs even with AGE grant

• Reduction in company size for Apprentice grants eligibility • Competition too many providers chasing the same employers

• Speaking to the decision maker especially for large companies with multi sites/departments

• Offer too fragmented and complicated – the funding, frameworks, • Misconceptions about what an apprenticeship is • Previous bad experience including poor quality applicants, poor quality

apprentice and/or poor provider

• Employers not willing to allocate work time for training


111


• Employers want shorter training period • Unrealistic expectations of apprentices ability/skills when they first start

work

• Lack of employer trust in the system

• Lack of awareness of the business benefits

• Politicians constantly meddling and using Apprenticeships as a political football. Why can't they just leave colleges and providers in peace (ie. a period of policy and funding stability) for a while to "get on with it"!!

• The effect of Traineeships being offered to employers as "free labour", resulting in some employers now not willing to pay wages for apprenticeships when they can get it for free through Traineeships


112


• Lack of impartial and high quality IAG in schools

• Selling apprenticeships to younger workers when apprenticeship rate of pay is below National Minimum Wage and below pay rates for many entry level jobs.

• The title "apprenticeship" puts potential older learners off using the qualification as a career advancement or progression tool

• High Schools offering NVQ & BTEC qual's to learners before leaving school which conflict with apprenticeship funding streams for providers

• Location - no consideration given to a 16 year old, who can't drive and are expected to work outside of public transport

Barriers to recruiting

Round Table Discussions:

Share thoughts and ideas:

- What works for you? - Working together - Overcoming barriers

114


Feedback

Summary and Close

116


Thank you!

Government & Nonprofit

Greater Together - Growing Apprenticeships and Traineeships (24 March 2015)