Enhancing Employer Engagement in the Design and Development of Effective Skills

SolutionsAmman, Jordan

8-9 September 2015

Presentation 9th September 2015

Ana CavillaDirector of Policy

Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards

Apprenticeships and the role of employers in the reformed system

• Background to the UK Apprenticeship programmes

• Definition of Apprenticeships• Key stakeholders• Apprenticeship reforms:

–employer led standards–ensuring quality assessment, –managing the system

A UK Wide programme

• All four nations have apprenticeship schemes, with grants for training – from 50% contribution to fully funded

• England Scotland and Wales – grants towards costs of hiring apprentice

• Northern Ireland – payment on successful completion

What defines an Apprenticeship in the UK

• A job with training

• Paid work

• For all ages

• Across all sectors

• On- and off-the job training

• Across a range of skills / qualifications level

NewHigherApprenticeshipsIn occupations like space engineer and pilot

Over2Million

Apprenticeshipstarts in England since May 2010 96%

Employers who take on an apprentice say their business benefited.

£117kExtra income earned by someone who completes a Level 3 Apprenticeship

Amount invested in Apprenticeships in England last year

Return for every pound that Government invests in Apprenticeships

£1 £28

£1.5 bn

Over 240,000Workplaces in England already offeringApprenticeships

Over 170 IndustriesOffer Apprenticeships

96,400Apprenticeships in smaller businesses supported by a £1,500 Grant for Employers

Apprenticeships – Some key facts

Scotland on target for 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships in 2014/15

Wales recorded 27, 455 Apprentices in 2013/14 with a substantial increase in Higher Level Apprenticeships

• Business benefits - 95% of employers report business benefits

• Motivated apprentices - 90% satisfaction rate

• Wider economy benefits– More highly skilled workforce– Increased productivity– Innovation– Reduced costs

Apprenticeships in the UK – Key Benefits for employers

Key Stakeholders in UK Skills System

7

Learners

Schools

Sector Skills

Councils

Funding Bodies

Further

education

colleges

UniversitiesEmployers

GovernmentQualifications Regulators

Awarding

Bodies

Private

Training

Providers

Inspection

Agencies

Government Support for Apprenticeships: England

UK Commission for Employment & Skills

Department for Education

Department for Work & Pensions

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

Skills Funding Agency

19+

Education Funding Agency16-19

Registered Training Providers, Inc. FE

colleges, employers and independent providers

£750M £750M

£1.5B

Employer-led Partnerships (Sector Skills Councils)

Federation for Industry Sector Skills & Standards

• National certification and quality assurance body for Apprenticeships

• Promotes professional practice for employer-led bodies setting skills standards

• Promotes the case for skills development through Apprenticeships and Traineeships to enhance productivity

Quality Assurance

Apprenticeship Standards

Apprenticeship Certification

Quality Assurance

Employer-led Partnerships

Skills Policy & Representation Skills Standards

Sector Skills Councils: Our members

Main Aims of Apprenticeship Reforms

Employer driven More responsive to

employer needs and the future economy

Quality Creating ‘parity of

esteem’ with University path

Simplicity Simplifying

apprenticeship standards

• Apprenticeship Standards will be designed by employers and will replace Apprenticeship Frameworks

• All Apprenticeships will:o last a minimum of 12 monthso have an end-point assessmento be graded

• Apprenticeship Standards will be:o designed & written by employers o clear & conciseo accessible to all

Key Changes to Apprenticeships

• Launched in October 2013• 8 industry groups called trailblazers• Developed 16 standards and 16 assessment plans• First apprenticeships starts in September 2014

The apprenticeship reforms are gaining pace – phase 1

Aerospace Automotive Digital Industries Electrotechnical

Energy & Utilities Financial Services

Food and Drink Manufacturing

Life &Industrial Sciences

…. through to Phase 3 and 4 Trailblazers announced this year

WeldingNon-destructive

TestingBus, Coach &

HGV

Civil Service Commercial

Furniture

Engineering Design & Drafting

Maritime - Defence

Defence

Nuclear Rail Engineering

Plumbing & Heating

Electronic Systems

Boatbuilding

Surveying Recruitment

Business Management Consultancy

Human Resources

Education & Training

TV production &

broadcasting

HM Armed Forces

Renewable Energy

Police

NHS Ambulance Fire Services

Security Pharmacy Fashion

Physical Activity Logistics &

Supply Chain

Transport Agriculture & Horticulture

Horticulture & Trees

Equestrian Port

Operations

Courier Services

Healthcare

…. and 100’s more to come

• More than 190 Apprenticeship standards and 25 assessment plans

• A further 156 new standards in development

• Conservative estimates suggest that there could be over 1,000 Apprenticeship standards in total

• Great to see so much direct employer engagement and involvement

• There is a need for an organising framework: which our members can provide to maintain high standards, consistency and transferability / portability

Is an organising framework needed?

• Assessment is highly complex and skilled - Employers can set the overarching direction but don’t necessarily have the skill or will to development assessments

• Regulated market of awarding organisations in the UK can help with developing fit for purpose vocational assessments …. but they need to respond to the employers demands

• With almost 200 standards but only 25 assessment plans – it’s clear that developing detailed assessment plans is taking time

• Getting employers involved in assessment is key – but they need support to do – government needs to develop a simple mechanism for effective engagement

Employer engagement beyond standards?

• Government has announced it will introduce an Apprenticeship levy across the UK – all large firms will pay into a levy to be used for apprenticeship training

• There is a consultation taking place now – this will ensure that employers engage and can support the ambition of 3 million apprenticeship starts in this parliament

• This proposed funding reform means that the entire system is reforming over a 4 year period - from standards development, curriculum design and content, assessment and funding are all simultaneously changing

• There are potential risks but even greater rewards – to have an employer designed system which should tackle the skills gaps and shortages in the UK economy.

A future funding model….

Thank you

Any QuestionsTelephone: 07843618187 Email: ana.cavilla@fisss.orgWebsite: www.fisss.org