New government apprenticeship adjustments have been announced, affecting the requirement to undertake Maths and English GCSE’s.
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Changes have been made to GCSE requirements, allowing employers more flexibility when hiring, as well as duration
Up to 10,000 new positions could be created by the government apprenticeship adjustments.
Major adjustments are to be made in the Maths and English requirements.
Training speeds are also to be increased in construction apprenticeships
The government intends to reduce the ‘bureaucracy’ for apprenticeships through Skills England.
The government apprenticeship adjustments mean that employers now have the option to choose whether adult learners over 19 years of age must complete a level 2 English and Maths qualification, equivalent to GCSE level, in order to pass. This is intended to allow more learners to qualify in sectors including construction, where more labour is desperately needed.
This can also boost the number of completed apprenticeships per year by up to 10,000, as well as allowing apprentices to focus on their paid work more than Maths and English. The minimum duration of an apprenticeship has also been announced as decreasing from 12 months to eight.
The changes to the Maths and English requirements are effective immediately, while the duration decrease will come into effect in August to match legislative timetabling.
Cautious optimism for the government apprenticeship adjustments
David Barnes, acting head of policy and public affairs at CIOB, said: “Changes to apprenticeships are very much needed to increase the number of people entering the construction sector, so the Government’s attention to this important matter is very welcome. However, we have some concerns that shorter periods of learning could lead to lower quality outcomes for apprentices and employers, which in turn could impact the quality and safety of the projects they go on to work on.
“We could also see higher rates of drop out due to the pressures of undertaking skilled and complex learning in a compressed period of time, particularly when so many are adult learners with families. We’re in favour of streamlining processes to reduce the delays currently experienced by many construction apprentices, for example at the assessment stage, but maintaining high standards and competency must remain a top priority.”
Secretary of state for education, Bridget Phillipson, said: “Growing the economy and opportunity for all are fundamental Missions of our Plan for Change, and we are determined to support apprentices throughout this National Apprenticeship Week and beyond.
“Businesses have been calling out for change to the apprenticeship system and these reforms show that we are listening. Our new offer of shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality, helping achieve our number one mission to grow the economy.
“Skills England will be a major driver in addressing the skills gaps needed to support employers up and down the country and I look forward to working with the new leadership.”
Phil Smith CBE, chair of Skills England, said: “I know from my time in industry how valuable direct engagement from employers can be in shaping government policy.
“We need a dynamic skills system that can drive economic growth, and I’m excited to be involved in shaping Skills England as part of that.”
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