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Apprenticeships: Reform needed for success, say MPs Apprenticeships: Reform needed for success, say MPs
(about 4 hours later)
Urgent reform is needed to the government's apprenticeships programme, an 11-month review has concluded.Urgent reform is needed to the government's apprenticeships programme, an 11-month review has concluded.
Standards need to be improved and schemes need to be better monitored in order to provide the skills needed to boost economic growth, a report by MPs said.Standards need to be improved and schemes need to be better monitored in order to provide the skills needed to boost economic growth, a report by MPs said.
The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee report into apprenticeships is urging schemes to be more ambitious.The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee report into apprenticeships is urging schemes to be more ambitious.
It calls for apprenticeships to be seen as equal to study at university.It calls for apprenticeships to be seen as equal to study at university.
Commenting on the publication of the report, the Chairman of the BIS Committee, Adrian Bailey, said: "The apprenticeship programme can play a key role in resolving some of this country's most pressing issues."Commenting on the publication of the report, the Chairman of the BIS Committee, Adrian Bailey, said: "The apprenticeship programme can play a key role in resolving some of this country's most pressing issues."
Fit for purposeFit for purpose
Last year the government invested £1.2bn in the apprenticeship programme, with 457,200 people starting training as an apprentice.Last year the government invested £1.2bn in the apprenticeship programme, with 457,200 people starting training as an apprentice.
The government has made apprenticeships a priority but, according to the report, there is room for improvement.The government has made apprenticeships a priority but, according to the report, there is room for improvement.
The report recommends a number of reforms which it hopes will make apprenticeships better fit for purpose.The report recommends a number of reforms which it hopes will make apprenticeships better fit for purpose.
These include a clearer government policy on apprenticeships that defines their purpose and goals.These include a clearer government policy on apprenticeships that defines their purpose and goals.
The report said there needs to be an assessment of how schemes are funded and how they are taken up, especially with regard to which age groups benefit most.The report said there needs to be an assessment of how schemes are funded and how they are taken up, especially with regard to which age groups benefit most.
It also recommended that the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) should have a statutory responsibility to raise awareness of apprenticeships for students within schools.It also recommended that the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) should have a statutory responsibility to raise awareness of apprenticeships for students within schools.
"Apprenticeships are a viable and attractive route to a career and should be seen as equal to the university route", said Mr Bailey."Apprenticeships are a viable and attractive route to a career and should be seen as equal to the university route", said Mr Bailey.
Finally, the report recommended that the NAS should produce a robust methodology for valuing employers' contributions in future.Finally, the report recommended that the NAS should produce a robust methodology for valuing employers' contributions in future.
"We heard evidence of excessive profits at the public's expense, of a government paying out too much money... this is unacceptable," Mr Bailey added."We heard evidence of excessive profits at the public's expense, of a government paying out too much money... this is unacceptable," Mr Bailey added.
Are you an apprentice or have you completed an apprenticeship? Do you run a business that takes on apprentices? What is your experience of the apprenticeships programme? Get in touch using the form below.