TRAINING
simply not relevant to the modern workplace, and many of these are draining vital funds out of the system.
Currently, we have a relatively small number of large organisations able to provide non levy-funded apprentice training, but they are providing programmes that employers evidently do not want – and many of those do not cater for specialised industries like building engineering services.
Instead, the future has to be training that is designed by employers, for employers. This is the model for the New Standard apprenticeships, which are just getting up and running. These need to be backed up with more fleet-footed course providers willing to offer practical and targeted training. That is where employers will start to see the big difference and where the DfE should intervene. All apprentices – of all ages and at all stages in their careers – should have a qualification for life that can be easily updated. Employers are still distrustful of a system that used to focus on a lot of untargeted repeat training. That is being swept away with the advent of the New Standards and replaced by apprenticeships focused on producing skills that are practical, relevant, and that evolve as markets and technologies change. Rather than scrapping the Levy, which is designed to raise £3bn a year to fund the training of a new generation of skilled workers, there should be renewed focus on making sure employers can access the funds – and that the right training providers are backed. The current situation is hugely frustrating for employers, but at BESA we have seen a record number of enquiries from companies of all sizes wanting apprentices. We have
also seen a 27% increase in new apprentices signing up to our New Standard courses. This is because we have taken our future into our own hands.
As well as creating the New Standard apprenticeships, we have revamped End Point Assessment of candidates to make it more meaningful and focused on life-long learning. The system now provides real evidence that the apprentice has the knowledge, skills and behaviours to operate as part of a modern workforce. This is what employers have been calling for.
The assessment involves a series of interviews, practical tasks and questions where students are examined independently of their training provider. This should give employers greater peace of mind that they are receiving apprentices with fully rounded competence, ready for productive work.
Previously, the system was based on continuous assessment, but employers often felt there were weaknesses in that approach. The assessments were carried out by the trainers, whose employers were incentivised to ensure all of their candidates completed the courses successfully.
Although there is no question that much of the training was perfectly good, having an independent assessment at the end does provide a much more satisfactory conclusion and makes certification that bit more meaningful.
However, we do need government help. Rather than continuing a process that encourages basic plumbing courses – many from the comfort of their own bedrooms – the government should be heavily promoting the added value apprenticeships that give employers what they require and can help them plug their skills gaps.
Churning out thousands of people with only basic qualifications might improve the numbers – for political purposes – but it will not meet the country’s real needs. If you are going to build big projects like Heathrow and HS2 – as well as all the other less glamorous, but equally crucial built environment assets – you need a broad range of skilled people. Employers have to feel confident about investing in apprentices and it can be tempting to take the low cost option, but that is a false economy. You receive a far better return on your investment by enrolling your staff on more technically demanding training, such as the new apprenticeships, rather than a lowest common denominator ‘sausage factory’ solution where the employer has to retrain them to do something useful as soon as they leave college.
So, employers, step back from the chasm and put your time and money into the new apprenticeship standards – and start to reap the rewards.
www.acr-news.com
August 2018 45
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