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Government announces measures to cut apprenticeships bureaucracy

Skills minister John Hayes today announced a package of new measures designed to make it easier for employers to take on large numbers of apprentices.

Responding to the recommendations of a review led by the Employer Reference Group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and large companies, including BT and TUI Travel, Mr Hayes said that firms that contract directly with the Government to train apprentices will now benefit from simplified payment, reporting and assessment requirements.

The recommendations and actions arising from the review will be taken forward by the Skills Funding Agency and National Apprenticeship Service, working with BIS and DfE, Ofsted, Ofqual and other partners including employers and their representative bodies.

Business secretary Vince Cable said: "Apprenticeships are proving an increasingly effective training route for young people and companies. They are a proven way to fill skills gaps in our economy. That's why we are boosting the number of apprenticeships and putting them at the heart of our Skills for Growth strategy.

"But for far too long too many businesses have been put off by overly complex procedures and unnecessary layers of paperwork. We've worked with business to cut bureaucracy and ensure the benefits for employers, learners and the economy are maximised".

The new measures include:

• A pilot for over 20 large employers who have volunteered to trial "payment by outcomes" which the government says will eliminate a number of data returns and audit requirements
• Providing an online toolkit for employers that clearly explains the end-to-end processes employers need to undertake for apprenticeships
• Streamlining contracting arrangements
• A commitment to no "in year" changes to contracting arrangements
• A more proportionate approach to audit and inspection to reduce preparation time for employers
• Greater use of electronic information to reduce paperwork
• A more streamlined certification process

Announcing the measures at a summit hosted by the CBI today, Mr Hayes said: "I'm determined that more employers and learners than ever should have the opportunity to benefit from our unprecedented investment in apprenticeships. Where red tape and bureaucracy deters employers from taking on apprentices, we'll sweep it away.

"That will give more firms access to the skills they need to thrive, creating new jobs and new growth, and it will give many more individuals better prospects and the chance to gain a real stake in society."

Susan Anderson, CBI director for education & skills policy, said: "We welcome today's report and the Government's commitment to expanding apprenticeship schemes. Apprenticeships are vital to developing the skills that support economic growth and many employers already deliver excellent programmes.

"Cutting bureaucracy will support even more businesses to become involved and these recommendations set out the right path for reform. They recognise that employers are primarily concerned with the day-to-day running of their businesses, and that they are committed to offering high quality training as their reputation and business success depends on this. We will work with government to take these plans forward."

BT director of education and skills Andy Palmer said: "For the last year BT has worked as part of BIS's Employer Reference Group to improve the system and reduce the burdens on employers. The changes we are proposing will have a significant impact on bureaucracy rather than merely tinkering at the edges."

The government says further measures to cut red tape for small and medium sized employers taking on apprentices will be unveiled this autumn as part of the government's plan for growth.

External links

The report from the Employer Reference Group (produced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service) - 'Employer Reference Group - Simplifying end-to-end apprenticeship processes for employers' - is available at www.lsis.org.uk

National Apprenticeship Service

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Training Reference is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

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