Three million apprenticeships – building on strong foundations

Peter Lauener - Chief Executive, Skills Funding Agency

and Education Funding Agency

AELP Annual Conference – 23 June 2015

In the last Parliament, a total of 2.2 million apprenticeship starts

achieved.

A solid foundation was created through:

Simplicity of more concise standards

Employer driven system has begun to make apprenticeships more

responsive to their needs

Focus on high quality – and increasingly on advanced and higher

apprenticeships

The Story So Far

Three million apprenticeship starts in the life of this Parliament.

“Three million apprenticeships so that young people get the skills they need to succeed. We will treble the number of apprenticeships in food, farming and agri-tech”

- Conservative manifesto

Ambition announced by David Cameron, will be led by Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Nick Boles, Minister of State for Skills

Highest priority for Government, SFA and EFA

Apprenticeship growth key to boosting productivity

The vision for the next five years

All players in the sector have to rise to the challenge to secure 3 million

Everyone has a part to play in apprenticeships

Equivalent to more than one apprentice starting every minute of every day over the next 5 years

A role for everyone

‘To do’ list 1

Need to accelerate implementation of our reforms to boost numbers

Continue to engage employers

Increase the number of apprentices delivered through the public sector

Generate greater learner demand and therefore applications for apprenticeships

‘To do’ list 2

Encourage large and small employers to take on apprentices for the first time or grow the number they offer

Champion the take-up and further development of Higher and Degree apprenticeships

Expand apprenticeships in new sectors

Vigorously tackle the sectors with low apprenticeship participation

Higher and Degree apprenticeships Introduced in 2009/10 at Levels 4 and 5; expanded to Levels 6 and 7 in

April 2013

Fastest growing part of the apprenticeship programme

Of the 129 standards published so far, 47 are Higher and Degree apprenticeships

Over 100 companies working with over 20 universities and colleges on Degree apprenticeships

Around 1,500 starts expected on 13 Degree apprenticeships this September

Greater Collaboration

The top 40 providers deliver one third of new apprenticeship starts

Many providers are influencing employers and using expertise to unlock employer investment

Move from awareness raising to boosting take-up

National Apprenticeship Service using its reach with large and small businesses

 

July 8 Budget

The Chancellor’s additional

Budget

All departments have been

asked for in-year savings –

and high level announcement

made on 4 June

Search for savings will

continue into the Spending

Review

Successful Providers

QA Ltd

Graded Outstanding by Ofsted. Based in Slough. Works with both CISCO and ATOS.

Targets 16-24 year old learners with Advanced & Higher apprenticeships in IT, Social Media, Project Management

Heavily engaged in Trailblazer activity

This year, created opportunities for 1298 learners; with 1297 being at Advanced and Higher levels.

Successful Providers Kaplan

Grade Two Ofsted

Offering accountancy, construction skills, financial services, hospitality and catering apprenticeships

Worked closely with PwC in the development of the Professional Services Higher apprenticeship in 2010.

Grown Advanced apprenticeships from 74% of its offering in 2011 to 87% last year

Opportunities for 1856 learners so far this year; 1227 of these Advanced or Higher apprenticeships.

Successful ProvidersIn-Comm

Based in Walsall – close to losing its direct contract through MCL in 10/11 but

grew apprenticeship numbers significantly

Now has a direct contract worth over 700k up from around 400k in 10/11.

Last academic year, delivered 167 apprenticeship starts. 68 were 16-18, 77

were 19-23, and 22 were 24 years old+

Ofsted Grade 2 focused on LEP priorities

Starts in industrial applications, engineering and management

On course to deliver significantly more starts than in 2013/14; especially in

engineering

Has successfully bid for high tech capital equipment through the LEP.

Together, we can reach 3 million apprenticeship starts

Not just a manifesto commitment – it’s an economic imperative.

Key to productivity for businesses

SFA and EFA will help the entire sector to achieve the target.

Our combined goal