Government turns the spotlight on apprenticeships

Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable and Skills Minister John Hayes have set out a strategy for the reform of the further education and skills system to improve the skills of the workforce Dr Cable said that even against the backdrop of reductions, resource would be found to "expand the apprenticeship programme for adults and support more people undertaking an increasingly respected form of vocational training." The reform of the skills systems includes: • Expanding the numbers of adult apprenticeships available, so by 2014-15 there will be 75,000 more adults starting than under previous plans; • Improving the apprenticeships package, so that level 3 (A Level equivalent) becomes the level to achieve; • Fully funding training for young adults aged from 19 up to 24 undertaking their first full level 2 (GCSE equivalent) or first level 3 qualification when they do not already have one; • Fully funding basic skills courses for individuals who left school without basic reading, writing and mathematics; • Introducing Government-backed loans from 2013-14 for learners aged 24 and over undertaking level 3 or higher qualifications. They will make their contribution to costs once "they are reaping the benefits of it and earning a decent wage"; • Initiating a demand-led growth and innovation fund of up to £50 million of government investment a year, to support employer-led initiatives within sectors, such as new professional standards, and to promote leadership and management in small and medium enterprises; • Replacing Train to Gain with an SME focused programme to help small employers train low-skilled staff; • Helping people who are on active job-seeking benefits to secure work through labour-market relevant training; and • Reducing bureaucracy in the sector. We will continue to free colleges and training providers from red tape so they can respond to the needs of employers and learners. We will simplify the complex funding system and from the 2011-12 academic year there will be a single adult skills budget. Skills Minister John Hayes, said the strategy was one of the most important documents yet published by the coalition