The Department for Education is running a “short” survey on how reforms to apprenticeship funding, including the Apprenticeship Levy, have affected employers and training providers.

This is the fifth such consultation in four years, under four different Ministers: Hancock, Boles, Halfon and now Milton with this survey seemingly the result of some nervousness in the sector about the slow take up of apprenticeships since May, particularly among the young aged 16-24.

UVAC has set out its response to a number of the questions here and includes the following main opinions:

• Firstly, it is ESSENTIAL that a minimum 10% employer co-investment requirement is retained for Apprenticeships at all levels
• Secondly the funding system should be used to incentivise non-levy paying employers to use the Apprenticeships a post Brexit economy will need to compete internationally or to support individuals acquire the skills to deliver vital public services
• Thirdly the Apprenticeship funding system should reward employers who do the most to support the learning and development and progression of their new and existing staff
• Finally, if employer choice means fewer 16 – 19 Apprenticeships are offered, DfE/ESFA should not try to ‘rig the market’

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