CIPD welcomes plans to increase apprenticeship opportunities for young people

In response to the government’s announcement about reforms to the apprenticeship system in England, Lizzie Crowley, Senior Skills Policy Adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, says:  

“We welcome yesterday’s announcement to increase apprenticeship opportunities for young people and introduce new foundation apprenticeship pathways, while also providing employers with much needed flexibility in the types of training they can access under the new Growth and Skills Levy.  

“To fund this additional flexibility and rebalance the apprenticeships system towards young people, the Government will be seeking employers to coinvest in higher level apprenticeships for already skilled and experienced employees. This will hopefully reduce the burden of expensive rebadging of existing training as apprenticeships and free up resources to invest in young people; those that see the most benefit from apprenticeships. 

“Yet, more action is required to support smaller firms who don’t contribute to the current levy to unlock more apprenticeships for young people. The collapse in SME participation in the system has driven the overall decline apprenticeship numbers, and a lack of opportunities for young people in particular.”