Warning over tax credits for apprenticeships

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers, which represents organisations who train over 70% of England’s apprentices, has expressed deep concerns about the likely impact on small business take-up of the programme.

It said it welcomed the fact that a new BIS consultation document on the future of apprenticeships has held back from a firm ministerial commitment to the idea.

“We said in our own response to the Richard Review that many of Doug Richard’s recommendations made good sense and we are equally pleased that the government has observed in its consultation that there is already good practice in existence,” said Graham Hoyle, AELP’s Chief Executive.

“The government is right to say that apprenticeships should still be available at level 2, which reflects what employer customers have been telling our members.

“Also encouraging is the government’s confirmation that it intends to introduce traineeships in the autumn to help more less qualified young people gain a place on an apprenticeship.”

AELPsaid that more must be done to raise awareness of apprenticeships among school children, including a “robust role” for Ofsted in checking that schools are following their statutory duties on careers guidance.

“I hope that ministers will look again at our ideas for apprenticeships to be championed in secondary schools,” Mr Hoyle said.

“They will help the government achieve the Prime Minister’s stated goal as an apprenticeship being seen as ‘the new normal’.”