The publication “English Apprenticeships our 2020 vision”1 sets out the Government’s plans and ambition to increase both the quality and quantity of Apprenticeships in England, resulting in 3 million new Apprenticeship Starts by 2020. To this end, the government has initiated a significant programme of apprenticeship reform covering policy, funding and delivery.
What are the key summary points?
- An aspiration to secure an additional 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020.
- The introduction of an apprenticeship levy for employers (typically large employers) whose pay bill is in excess of £3 million.
- Changes to the maximum amount of money that an employer can be expected to pay for apprenticeship training- irrespective of whether they are a levy paying employer or a non-levy paying employer.
- The introduction of a new Digital Apprenticeship Service changing the way employers search for and select their apprenticeship provider and how they pay for their apprenticeship training.
- New duties placed upon the public sector around the employment of apprentices and a duty to report on progress (a 2.3% target of the workforce was consulted on but as yet no target has been confirmed).
- The development and introduction of new apprenticeship standards the content of which has been developed and agreed with employers, and changing the way apprenticeships are studied and assessed.
- Changes to the levels at which apprenticeships can be studied- and in particular the development and introduction of Degree Apprenticeships.
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