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| Apprenticeship numbers fall by 59% after levy imposed | Apprenticeship numbers fall by 59% after levy imposed |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There has been a big fall in the number of workers starting apprenticeships since the introduction of the government's apprenticeship levy earlier this year. | There has been a big fall in the number of workers starting apprenticeships since the introduction of the government's apprenticeship levy earlier this year. |
| The levy was supposed to increase the number of people training at work. | The levy was supposed to increase the number of people training at work. |
| But according to Department for Education figures, in the last three months of the 2017 academic year, 48,000 people began an apprenticeship. | But according to Department for Education figures, in the last three months of the 2017 academic year, 48,000 people began an apprenticeship. |
| That compared with 117,000 for the same period last year. | That compared with 117,000 for the same period last year. |
| The levy was introduced to raise £2.5bn a year for training. The aim was to fund up to 3 million new apprenticeships. | The levy was introduced to raise £2.5bn a year for training. The aim was to fund up to 3 million new apprenticeships. |
| Firms with 50 or more staff now have to find 10% of the cost of training and also release staff for a day a week of off-site training, adding to costs and making apprenticeships a less popular option. | |
| The government had previously said it expected there would be an initial drop-off in the number of people starting apprenticeships. | The government had previously said it expected there would be an initial drop-off in the number of people starting apprenticeships. |
| However, it also said: "It is expected that the levy will support productivity growth through the increase in training." | However, it also said: "It is expected that the levy will support productivity growth through the increase in training." |
| However, many industry experts say the scheme has been badly organised. They say the government's procurement of training has been "disastrous". | However, many industry experts say the scheme has been badly organised. They say the government's procurement of training has been "disastrous". |
| Many employers say they cannot afford to release staff for one day a week and do not want to make the 10% contribution to the training costs. | Many employers say they cannot afford to release staff for one day a week and do not want to make the 10% contribution to the training costs. |
| Do you employ apprentices? Or have you started an apprenticeship? What are your views on the levy? Share your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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