Commenting on the reforms to level 7 apprenticeships announced by the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, Robbie Cruikshanks, Senior Researcher for Higher Education at the Education Policy Institute (EPI) said:
“The government’s announcement this morning to reform apprenticeship funding shows a promising focus on younger students, and provides a welcome boost to apprenticeship funding.
However, it is crucial that the removal of levy funding for Level 7 apprenticeships does not risk deepening longstanding skills gaps across critical sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital technology, and healthcare, where apprenticeships are vital in up-skilling workers of all ages. Alongside the refocusing of the levy on lower-level apprenticeships, the government must go further to support employers and students in providing and accessing these courses to reverse the falls in apprenticeship starts and decline in achievement rates in recent years.
Additionally, the government must develop a clearer strategy to ensure young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are better able to access apprenticeships. At present, this group of young people are disproportionately under-represented in apprenticeship schemes and so the government should consider utilising any savings from these reforms to the levy to broaden access and participation in apprenticeships for the most disadvantaged students.”
