Apprenticeships in England
The existing ‘Modern Apprenticeship' has been replaced by a broader family of apprenticeships. The reforms change the shape and scope of Apprenticeships offering wider opportunity and benefit to the economy.
Through Sector Skills Councils, Employers will be in the driving seat influencing and designing the content and delivery of apprenticeships, insuring apprentices gain the knowledge and skills that the industry need.
The Apprenticeship Family creates a vocational ladder of training opportunity, beginning at the age of 14, and potentially ending with a higher education qualification or employment:
Young Apprenticeships (For 14–16 year olds)
A high quality route at Key Stage 4 for able and well–motivated pupils who want to pursue industry specific vocational qualifications with employers and learning providers.
Apprenticeships
At Level 2, covering work–based training and knowledge based learning. This may comprise of an NVQ, Technical Certificate and Key Skills, or a specialised framework tailored to meet the needs of the employers and the sector, as recommended by the relevant Sector Skills Council.
Advanced Apprenticeship
At Level 3, covering the same components as the Apprenticeship above.
Opportunities for further progression from Advanced Apprenticeships:
Foundation Degrees
Cover Level 4 qualifications, providing a vocational route into Higher Education (placed at Intermediate Level on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications)
Degree
Available at Institutions of Higher Education.
There are two other developments that support this structure, ensuring wider access and ease of progression for all:
Entry to Employment
A pre–Apprenticeship route into the Apprenticeship Programme.
Apprenticeship for Adults (For adults over 25)
This removes the age cap to achieving an Apprenticeship qualification, increasing access for adults in to training and education.
Please note this new Apprenticeship Family only applies to England.
The Learning and Skills Council have invested in an extensive marketing campaign, targeting employers in order to secure their full commitment and engagement with the programme. The changes that have been made are the DfES and LSC's response to recommendations made by the Modern Apprenticeship Advisory Committee and the Modern Apprenticeship Task Force.
For further information on the Apprenticeship Reforms please visit:
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
Skills Funding Agency
LSC Apprenticeships Website
For a list of programmes please visit:
Skillset's Apprenticeships
For more information on Skillset's work with Apprenticeships, please contact elizabethb@skillset.org.