The National Audit Office, today, published the following report The apprenticeships programme
Lady Cobham CBE, Director General, The 5% Club comments:
“The 5% Club welcomes today’s report by the National Audit Office. The report further demonstrates the need for an urgent reform of the Apprenticeship Levy. Employers across the country are passionate about offering as many apprenticeships as possible, to both support social mobility and boost productivity. However, we hear consistently from The 5% Club’s members that the Levy is holding them back, particularly SMEs.
The quality of training providers is also vital if the UK is to deliver a first-class apprenticeship system. Despite improvements, The 5% Club is concerned that nearly half (42%) of providers are still neither rated as ‘good’ nor ‘outstanding.’ Apprentices must have access to the very best if they are to be given a solid start to their career.
Furthermore, the report also highlights the importance of measuring completions over starts. According to the NAO, a third (32%) of apprentices reached the end of their apprenticeship, but didn’t achieve the apprenticeship. The government must work with employers to understand why this is happening and take action, ensuring a much higher completion rate, and thus allowing young people the opportunity to enter the workplace with a recognised qualification.”
