Steps must be taken to guarantee the quality of training provision in highways and transportation if the Government’s new Apprenticeship Levy is to meet the industry’s needs, sector commentators have urged.

 

The levy came into force last week and requires UK employers with an annual wage bill of over £3M to commit 0.5% of it towards funding apprenticeships. Meanwhile smaller employers will have 90% of the costs of training and assessing their apprentices covered by the State.

 

Government hopes the initiative will support its commitment to deliver three million apprenticeships by 2020. But some have warned that a keen focus on training quality is now essential if the levy is to help close skills gaps and deliver long term, successful careers for apprentices.

 

“Apprenticeships provide an important route into the industry, helping to boost the number of new entrants and address skills shortages,” commented CIHT’s Director of Education & Membership Sue Stevens. “However this is not just a numbers game. 

 

“The quality of the training provided must be of a high standard to ensure that the levy is providing good value for employers and establishing a strong talent pipeline for the industry.”

 

Civil Engineering Contractors Association director of external affairs Marie-Claude Hemming added: “If the levy is rolled out in a manner that delivers quantity over quality, it will undermine the ability of contractors to deliver the vital infrastructure that business and communities rely upon, and that drives growth in the economy.”

 

She called on Government to work with the industry to ensure companies are able to invest in skills through different qualifications and training methods applicable to their specific needs.

 

A report published recently by the House of Commons Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy also raises concerns that the target of three million apprenticeships could hamper attempts to raise training quality.

 

“Ministers must recognise that apprenticeships are a means to an end and not an end in themselves. They need to place greater emphasis on outcomes, focusing on areas of the economy where training is most needed,” said the sub-committee’s co-chair Neil Carmichael MP.

 

Skills Minister Robert Halfon said: “There has never been a more important time for Britain to invest in the skills of our people and businesses. To make Britain stronger and fairer, we need to make sure that everyone gets the chance to climb the ladder of opportunity to gain the education and skills they need to be successful in life. Our Apprenticeship Levy is a massive part of this.”

 

(Photo: TfL)