CITB’s biggest-ever funding opportunity opens today, with a £5 million commission to help under-represented groups into the construction industry.
Apprenticeship starts for June are down 40 per cent on the same month in 2016 – but up 57 per cent on last year.
There have been 22,300 starts recorded so far in June 2018, compared with 37,000 in June 2016 according to the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s monthly apprenticeship statistics update, published this morning.
A new approach to funding apprenticeships will provide better value for money so that people can benefit from the training opportunities on offer and progress in their careers, says Anne Milton
This morning the Department for Education published the list of T-level employer panel members for the routes that will be taught from September 2022 and 2023.
In the past 18 months, British Gypsum has been working with the Federation of Master Builders to develop the Plasterer Trailblazer Apprenticeships Standards. The new standards have the potential to bring more young talent into the industry but must be managed carefully or their impact will be stunted.
Following the success of the first CCATF Conference, held at Church House in Westminster early in July, the CCATF has been advised it has been successful in its endeavour to hold its forthcoming members meeting and the GLA’s headquarters at City Hall on the banks of the River Thames in London.
Ofsted has officially been given the final say over poor-performing apprenticeship providers following an early monitoring visit, the Education and Skills Funding Agency has confirmed today.
FE Week reported back in May that the move was on the cards, following embarrassment for the government over apprenticeship accountability.
Degree apprenticeships attract a surge in support from parents
A-Level students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland collect their exam results, and prepare for the next steps in their professional careers. But these steps might look different from before. A new CMI survey shows that support from parents for degree apprenticeships is increasing rapidly, with many advising their children to choose the cost-effective alternative to university.
Traditionally, academically driven teenagers have opted to start university degrees, while those keen to make an early start in the workplace have chosen jobs in their local area.
Degree apprenticeships combine the two approaches, by allowing students to get work experience in thriving companies while engaging in degree-level classroom teaching. The programmes see them awarded a qualification after three years.
The widely reported skills crisis and lack of fresh recruits in construction is not new news to us, and most recently the Chartered Institute of Building stated that the industry will need to find 157,000 new recruits by 2021 to keep up with demand.
Rather than go to university and build up debts teetering on the terrifying, school-leavers collecting A-level results next week can earn while they learn on their way to carving out a rewarding career with a great future in the housebuilding industry.
Apprenticeships have undergone an incredible change in recent years as their focus has shifted from being primarily blue‐collar professions, such as construction or engineering, to business and head office functions. Once thought of as an alternative to University for students who “couldn’t get the grades”, apprenticeships are becoming a viable career option for our brightest young people – as well as those already in work.
Despite good intentions, the apprenticeship levy hasn’t had the easiest of beginnings. Apprenticeship starts were 39 per cent down in April compared with the same period in 2016 – the clearest sign yet that we’re some way from having a system that works, that encourages companies to invest more in skills and training, and ultimately delivers a chance for people to embark on their career or retrain.
Unite says latest job losses are ‘act of crass stupidity’ amid construction skills shortage. The apprentice redundancies made up the bulk of the latest round of 356 job losses at Carillion.
The UK’s only specialist Further Education construction college will have a new CEO & Principal, following the retirement of the incumbent, Ian Billyard. It was announced today that the successor at Leeds College of Building will be Derek Whitehead, currently Deputy Principal at the College. Derek will take up the position in January 2019.
Concern has been raised by construction industry experts about a shortage of skilled workers. It was revealed by City & Guilds that 87% of employers last year were struggling to get hold of the necessary number of skilled workers. Official figures, revealed in Construction News, shows that 12.6% of the UK’s construction workers aren’t British-born, with 5.7% originating from the EU. This rises considerably in London to 60%. Rather concerning is the fact that three in 10 British-born construction workers are older than 50 years old and edging towards retirement.
Employers given green light to transfer up to 10% of levy funds to multiple businesses
The skills minister has launched a new £22 million fund to help tackle construction skills shortages.
The 18-month scheme will be overseen by the Construction Industry Training Board and funded by the Department for Education.
A ago week today, Learning and Work Institute launched All change: where next for apprenticeships?, a new essay collection with leading experts setting out ways to improve the quality of apprenticeships and ensure fair access to training.
Contributors were asked to reflect on the first year of the Levy and the impact of major changes to the development and funding of apprenticeships, and to give us their proposals for how to improve the quality of apprenticeships and ensure fair access to training.
The Awards celebrate the achievements of young people who have had to overcome barriers in their personal lives to train for and/or become employed in the construction industry.
The former skills minister has appeared to question the whole design principle behind the government’s plan for prestigious new T-levels.
Dr John Lanham is Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director Strategic Regional Partnerships at UWE and a Board Member of the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC)
The University of the West of England (UWE) has an extensive portfolio of “collaborative provision” through which we work with a range of partners to deliver our degrees at locations away from the university.
Not only has the levy offered an excellent chance for companies to invest in their employees, it has also allowed a number of people to enter the workforce who may not have been able to otherwise, writes Barclays' Mike Thompson
Almost three quarters of the apprentices left jobless following the collapse of Carillion have secured new employment, following an “extraordinary effort” by the construction industry over the last month.
At first, 700 were offered alternative apprenticeships by the end of January, after the outsourcing giant entered liquidation on the 15th. But attempts to move more than 400 others stalled throughout February and early March, after it proved difficult to match them with companies close enough to where they live.
Sir Gerry says concerns over end-point assessments are being overplayed by “vested interests” in the sector who are against the reforms
Writing exclusively for Tes, the chief executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) Sir Gerry Berragan says that end-point assessment (EPA) represents a big change that can be “unsettling” for providers.
Many low-skill and management training courses have been incorrectly labelled as ‘apprenticeships’ to attract millions in government subsidies through the apprenticeship levy, according to a new report from the public services think-tank Reform.
Peter Lauener is taking on yet another job next month, this time as chair of the Construction Industry Training Board at the request of the skills minister.
The former boss of both the ESFA and the Institute for Apprenticeships, once dubbed the busiest man in FE, will take up the role at the organisation on May 1.
Union giant Unite has called for a comprehensive overhaul of construction training methods, having unearthed a significant increase in so-called ‘dead end courses’.
Unite lodged a freedom of information request with the Skills Funding Agency which revealed that 203,400 people had completed a full or part-time construction course in 2016/17 – up 5% on 2015/16, during which 192,500 such courses were undertaken (itself a 14% increase on the year previous).
A demanding job in a high-pressure environment, dealing with matters of life and death daily, you might think that I’m the product of a Russell Group university education with a list of Bachelors and Masters degrees to my name. But you’d be wrong.
British businesses would benefit from a Swiss-style apprenticeship system, according to experts
Employers would benefit from school leavers starting apprenticeships lasting for several years, according to a new study released today by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), German think tank Bertelsmann Stiftung and the JP Morgan Chase Foundation.
Union leaders are calling for a radical overhaul of construction training after claiming thousands more youngsters are stuck on ‘dead end’ courses.
A freedom of information request by Unite to the Government’s Skills Funding Agency revealed that 203,400 people undertook a full-time or part-time construction course in 2016/17 – a five per cent increase on 2015/16.
Allan Callaghan, managing director of Cruden Building, looks at the range of career opportunities available as the sector faces growing recruitment challenges
As industries continue to change and evolve, construction is going through its own transformation - shifting from a male-dominated, traditional profession to a much more innovative, diverse and collaborative industry with wider career horizons than ever before.
Anyone working in education and careers will know that we just celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2018, five days of information and inspiration hoping to encourage a new generation of young people to learn more about the great opportunities out there. But just like puppies and Christmas – talking about apprenticeships should happen all year round, not just during National Apprenticeship Week: we must keep this vital conversation going.
DfE have today (29 Mar) published the latest statistics covering apprenticeship starts, apprenticeship service registrations and commitments. The figures released show a drop in Apprenticeship numbers.
Monthly Apprenticeship starts In December 2017 down from 16,700 apprenticeship starts, compared to 21,600 starts in 2016/17. Or 194,100 Apprenticeship starts for two quarters of 2017/2018 academic year compared to 258,800 Apprenticeship starts for the same period in 2016/17. Either way you 'cut up' the Apprenticeship start statistics are down between 22% - 25%.
So what does the sector think about the Apprenticeship figures?
There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice or start an apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to earn while they learn, gain vital work experience and set themselves on a fast-track to a successful career for life. Lasting between one and five years, apprenticeships are now available in over hundreds of occupations in many industries.
Apprenticeships are for people of all ages and all backgrounds. They offer a ladder of opportunity for people to gain the life changing skills they need and enable businesses to acquire the critical skills they need for business growth. Since 2015, we’ve seen over 1.2 million apprenticeship starts to date more opportunities for people of all ages and from all backgrounds
Fears of a “middle-class grab” on apprenticeships are “valid”, the skills minister has admitted.
Anne Milton told a House of Lords inquiry into the economics of further, higher and technical education that she was “watching and waiting” to see what happened – and would take action if necessary.
There will be an extra £80 million released to help small businesses recruit apprentices, the chancellor has announced in his spring statement to Parliament.
But it isn’t strictly new funding, a Treasury official later admitted.
The very best of what earning and learning means for learners and employers will be celebrated during the eleventh National Apprenticeship Week.
The theme for 2018’s event, running from March 5 until March 9, is ‘Apprenticeships work’.
Jason Holt CBE, the chief executive of Holts Group, has been named chair of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, replacing its disgraced former chair David Meller.
This is a promotion for Mr Holt, who had previously been the apprenticeships ambassador for small businesses.
Redrow Homes headquartered in Flintshire, has offered apprenticeships since it was founded in 1974.
A national housebuilder is supporting National Apprenticeship Week after finding apprentices the perfect solution to filling the skills gap within the company.
There could also soon be a quality mark for apprentice employers offered by Investors in People, the organisation has said
More regulation is required to ensure apprenticeships are high-quality, the education select committee has heard.
The UK construction industry needing 135,000 new apprentices by 2021 to help build homes, roads and railways all in a bid to make our lives easier and more enjoyable.
With this in mind there is a huge employment drive for young apprentices in Plymouth.
A construction apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn, putting you on the road to a rewarding career in one of the UK’s most innovative, dynamic and exciting industries and is therefore extremely sought after.
An apprenticeship scheme funded by a levy on big employers is a "massive lost opportunity" and must be reformed, the head of the CBI has said.
Wales and England operate different systems but Carolyn Fairbairn believes neither is working well.
This, free to attend, drop-in event will focus on the Qualification Wales Sector Review (published 8th Feb) and give employers and representative bodies the opportunity to discuss the public consultation with City & Guilds and other employers present.
Over the last few years, major progress has been made in improving our education system. The number of young people in good or outstanding schools has risen by nearly two million in less than a decade, while there are fewer qualifications that hold no real currency with employers. We also have some of the best universities in the world.
Every adult should get £10,000 for a minimum of two years just to spend on education or training, so long as they do not already have a degree, according to the influential UCL Institute of Education.
And employers should be allowed to spend apprenticeship levy funds to top up these costs, including on training that doesn’t take the form of apprenticeships.
A major U-turn that should allow mandatory technical qualifications to be included in new apprenticeships had been widely welcomed by the sector.
The change was announced at a special Institute for Apprenticeships briefing event, days after it was exclusively revealed on the front page of the previous FE Week.
Degree Apprenticeships are one of the most exciting developments to happen in the school leaver market for years, but more needs to be done to increase uptake of the programmes.
Government statistics show that Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level) and Level 7 (master’s degree level) have shockingly low participation rates in comparison to other levels of apprenticeship. While there were 259,430 Intermediate Apprenticeship starts in England in 2016/17, 195,770 Advanced Apprenticeship starts, and 34,470 Levels 4 and 5 Higher Apprenticeships, the number of people starting Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level) programmes for the year was just 1,620 and there were only 50 Level 7 (master’s degree level) starts.
A third of businesses view apprentices as the most valuable source of emerging talent in 2018. That is according to a poll of over 2,000 senior HR professionals carried out by Alexander Mann Solutions.
Almost half (49%) of managers have said they would not use their training fund available through apprenticeship levy, with many claiming there were no apprenticeships available in their industry.
A survey by training course provider DPG found that 43% of managers did not believe there were any apprenticeships that were useful for their businesses, despite programmes being offered in many areas including HR, IT and finance.
Kirstie Donnelly MBE is managing director of City & Guilds.
The levy presents a valuable opportunity for organisations to rethink the way they fund training for employees (Source: Getty)
Just under a year on from the introduction of radical reforms to the UK’s apprenticeship system, some seemingly worrying statistics have started to emerge.
In January, official figures highlighted a significant drop in the number of new apprentice sign-ups; a year-on-year reduction of some 41,000 new apprentices were registered between August and October.
But does this drop really signal a failure in the system, or is there more behind the numbers?
Off-the-job technical qualifications can now be included in apprenticeships, the Institute for Apprenticeships has officially announced, confirming a significant U-turn which FE Week revealed last week.
It is one of a number of reforms from the IfA to make the approval of new apprenticeship standards “faster and better”, after skills minister Anne Milton admitted that “some oil on the wheels” was needed.
Robert Halfon is set to give the keynote address on the theme of social justice and skills at an event run by the Centre of Social Justice, the Learning and Work Institute, and the Open University on Monday morning.
The chair of the Commons education select committee will set out his vision for how FE and HE can help the economy grow and deliver social justice.
After news broke that only two of the 10 largest multi-academy trusts are actually implementing the so-called Baker Clause, which requires schools to allow technical education providers access to their pupils, the man who fought for the clause in the first place explains why it is so vital that every school complies
Strict rules that apprenticeships cannot involve qualifications are set to be overturned next week, FE Week understands, potentially unsticking a series of standards held up for years by the ban.
The Institute for Apprenticeships is expected to announce that qualifications, such as technical certificates that show evidence of knowledge, will be considered in the future.
· UK is facing one of its greatest ever challenges – an acute shortage of the skills needed to meet construction demand
· Sector leaders say, “It’s time for change”
· More collaborative approach is required between industry, Government and education
University College of Estate Management (UCEM) has today published a report examining the Built Environment sector’s skills crisis, which urges action to reverse the trend.
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership has today published a major report on how the region can close the education and skills attainment gap with the south.
Chaired by former chancellor George Osborne, the organisation has a number of recommendations for improving FE.
FE Week has pulled out the eight main findings.
Five city mayors have committed to increasing the number of apprentices from ethnic minority and disadvantaged backgrounds.
The ‘Five cities project’, launched by the Department for Education, will see the National Apprenticeship Service work with the mayors of Greater Manchester, London, Bristol, Birmingham and Leicester to improve apprenticeship diversity in their areas.
Any former Carillion apprentice who is yet to find alternative employment following the collapse of the outsourcing giant will be paid after January, despite reports claiming this was not the case, the government has confirmed.
A story by the Huffington Post on Monday claimed that the apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton had said payments to the out-of-work construction trainees would stop at the end of January.
Apprenticeship and levy statistics: January 2018
The latest figures published by the Department for Education remain significantly lower than for the same period in each of the previous couple of years
Statistics covering latest monthly apprenticeship starts, apprenticeship service registrations and commitments and apprenticeship levy declared information.
The new education secretary will ensure that every apprentice affected by the collapse of outsourcing giant Carillion will be found new employment to complete their training, he has claimed.
Damian Hinds responded this afternoon to a letter sent last week by Robert Halfon, the chair of the education select committee, who asked him to guarantee that no learner would lose out, after the UK’s largest employer of construction apprentices closed down.
it will have a huge impact on the company’s thousands of employees and their families.
It is with these workers and the wider industry in mind that CITB is taking steps to secure the future of the 1400 Carillion apprentices. The skills and experience of these apprentices are invaluable to the British economy and crucial to the delivery of new homes and vital infrastructure.
FE providers are rallying to help more than 1,000 apprentices affected by the collapse of the outsourcing giant Carillion, but many more places are needed to ensure everyone’s qualifications are saved.
The Worshipful Company of Educators and the City & Guilds Group, supported by The City University, TES and Prevista Ltd.
Speakers include:
Nigel Whitehead – BAE Systems Baroness Professor
Alison Wolf – King’s College London
Chris Jones – City & Guilds Group
Sir Kevin Satchwell – Thomas Telford School
Antony Jenkins – Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Sir Paul Curran – City University
Stephen Exley – TES
National policy agreement and local business leadership essential.
Businesses, the Government and learning providers must take a fresh approach to skills in 2018.
In a new report, In Perfect Harmony, the UK’s leading business group argues that 28 skills reforms in 30 years have alienated firms, confused learning providers and failed to deliver on skills needs.
The Department for Education has announced the individuals, from within the construction sector, that are to be given responsibility for creating the newly announced T-levels.
The Institute for Apprenticeships is losing a vital member of staff, one who was “instrumental” in setting up the organisation.
Michael Keoghan, the Institute’s deputy chief executive, will leave at the end of this month to take up a new job as chief economic adviser at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The National Apprenticeship Service has launched its events map, the theme for NAW 2018 and made resources available to help stakeholders get behind the week.
The Department for Education is setting out its proposals for T levels with this consultation paper. The paper seeks views on how to implement them so that they meet the aims of the Sainsbury Report and Post-16 Skills Plan.
In November 2017 the Institute for Apprenticeships took ownership of occupational maps from the Department for Education, a resource which will help determine how occupations are categorised and in turn T levels are administered.
Follow the link below to watch this informative and details webinar on Off-the-job-training presented by our collaborative partners City & Guilds.
CCATF Member organisation Hudson Contract are delighted to introduce their 100th apprentice. Patrick Casey has started his career as an apprentice carpenter with Yorkshire firm West & Hill. On a wet, windy day, Hudson Contract went to meet him on site with his employers Rick Hill and Will West.
Over the past eight months, the Institute has opened offices, appointed staff, initiated and refined processes and procedures, selected Route Panels and approved hundreds of standards for delivery. They have always recognised some of the systems, policies and processes they inherited needed improving. Institute staff have been listening, consulting and planning improvements to make the process faster and better. The following initiatives are planned to be launched fully early in 2018.
CCATF Member Anne Timpany named as winner in the 15th annual NatWest everywoman Awards.
The Institute for Apprenticeships has today opened a consultation on its draft occupational maps, which will help shape the way that the new T level qualifications are governed.
The CCATF, in collaboration with City & Guilds are leading the way in creating a discussion document that examines and provides the catalyst for an industry inclusive dialogue about the recently announced T Level qualification path.
The government has been swamped with complaints about its malfunctioning apprenticeship payment systems, which are incorrectly demanding cash from levy-funded employers.
United Living South (Refurb) has backed CWOATA’s unique sponsorship programme designed to help local people find local jobs in the construction industry.
By nurturing talent, cementing skillsets from scratch and providing apprentices with first-hand experience and training of a trade, apprentices bring benefits to both the apprentice and employer. The unique advantages of hands-on training mean apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly efficient and popular way for people to find full-time employment and for employers to fill skills gaps.
The government will host a special summit at the end of this month to launch a new ‘skills partner’ programme with employers to help develop technical and vocational education reforms.
The government has rejected a call from an influential parliamentary group for at least one end-point assessment organisation to be in place before an apprentice can start on a standard.
The construction industry is facing one of its biggest challenges: recruiting talented people into long-term careers. This challenge is intensifying because the growth of offsite construction and the digitalization of the sector will mean the industry requires new types of talent and skills to meet future demand.
The four main themes of the government’s widely anticipated careers strategy have been set out by the skills minister, in a speech delivered at the Careers Education and Guidance Summit.
Smaller firms will be given more say in shaping and running the Construction Industry Training Board.
The Government has published its review of the training board revealing that a major shake-up is needed after just 0.8% of levy paying firms responded to its independent review on the future of the CITB.
It’s not an easy time to be working within the construction industry. There’s simply not enough talent in the market, projects are being put on hold and firms are being more selective about what they invest in, largely because of workforce-related issues.
For years, the construction industry has been plagued by an acute skills shortage. The Federation of Master Builders’ State of Trade Survey Q4 2016 revealed a shortage of skilled workers in carpentry and bricklaying with roles in plumbing and roofing also identified as being particularly difficult to fill.
Levy-funded apprenticeships at higher and degree-level jumped by a whopping 424 per cent in September, according to the latest experimental Department for Education statistics.
The government must urgently address employer resistance to the minimum off-the-job training apprenticeship rule, the AELP has said ahead of its autumn conference.
Construction industry urged to collaborate now to successfully integrate the Post 16 skills plan reforms.
The skills and apprenticeships minister has pledged to bottle the “essence” of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi and “sprinkle it around the UK” in her bid to breakdown the “barriers” our country faces in bridging the skills gap.
Relying on employer involvement makes apprenticeships a “fragile” form of training, according to new research.
The vote showed definite support for CITB’s continued levy-raising powers, across employers of all sizes. More than twice as many contractors favoured retaining the levy than removing it.
New guidance on T-level work placements has been criticised by the Association of Colleges, which fears providers will struggle to fit in the minimum 45 days per learner.
Build UK and Collab Group’s ‘Bridge into Construction’ programme has launched at Sheffield College, with the one year further education course beginning in October 2017.
Immersive learning has the potential to revolutionise training delivery, produce “work ready” employees and transform the perception of the construction sector, says a new report from CITB.
House builders vote ‘no’ to the CITB proposals as companies pledge to take the initiative in bid to tackle the housing crisis.
A recent study conducted by leading student-focused research company trendence UK has revealed that school students are still far less likely to consider an apprenticeship over university. Comment David Palmer, UK Research Manager – trendence UK.
The Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network is a cornerstone of the Government’s strategy to achieve its ambitious targets for widening access to apprenticeships.
Level two apprenticeships should be fully funded by the government at every age group, the AELP has said.
Interviews for a permanent chief executive at the Institute for Apprenticeships are set to at last begin later this month, and complete in the first week in October.
Despite being one of the most accessible and efficient ways to upskill talent, dismissive attitudes towards apprenticeships are still rife in the UK. Deeply ingrained associations with trade, low wages, and a perception that they put a glass ceiling on progression, mean that apprenticeships have long considered something not to aspire to. Because of this, and in spite of their widespread use across all sectors and at all levels, it can be difficult for people to see apprenticeships for what they really are; a highly effective way for individuals to gain the essential skills that businesses so desperately need.
As part of Skills for Londoners, the Mayor is launching a Construction Academy Scheme.
Kier is pledging to release 1% of its workforce to act as school career ambassadors for construction in a bid to combat the looming skills crisis.
The non-levy apprenticeship funding tender timetable has been “amended” by the Department for Education, and the deadline for submissions is now September 8.
The Apprenticeship Levy must be used as a means to not only engage with emerging talent, but also upskill existing teams to aid retention. That is according to the latest research from talent acquisition and management consultancy, Alexander Mann Solutions: The Apprenticeship Levy – How to turn a major social change (or an unwanted tax) into a robust talent strategy.
The Department for Education has refused to tell FE Week how many apprenticeship starts there were in April – even though the data is part of its official statistics.
The government’s decision on the phasing out of the next wave of apprenticeship frameworks has again be postponed, this time until the autumn.
ISG, the global construction services company, has today signed the Young Women’s Trust pledge to help more young women in apprenticeships. As employers fear a skills gap will harm productivity across the UK, the charity will work with ISG to increase the number of young women joining its apprenticeship programme.
