Apprentices and Higher Skills

John Chudley NAS Director with responsibility for H.E. 'We have managed to make people aware of the apprenticeship brand, but we have so far failed to make them aware of the progression opportunities.' 8 th September 2011

Apprentices - in context –The Coalition’s “golden egg”. –Starts and completions are increasing – Strong promotion of Level 3 in line with higher skills needs -The aim is to have growth in Higher Level Apprenticeships –(SFA Regional Director January 2011)

Progression rates onto HE 90% A level Students 41% % BTEC students 4% Advanced Apprentices HEFCE 2009

Advanced (Intermediate) Apprentices Increasingly successful completion rates at a level which should support HE progression Are committed to their chosen career Juggling job and training Are the managers and senior technicians of the future

What is stopping progression? Low aspiration? Insensitive MIS systems? Lack of relevant and full IAG pre and on programme? Ambivalent employer support? No suitable programme?

Three Research Projects AdvAnce ( LSC) A2A ( Aimhigher) IAG experience new apprentices (LSIS) 2011

AdvAnce Graduating Apprentices YearNumber of learners % wishing to stay with employer for next 3 years % wish to train at a higher level within next 6 months % wish to train at a higher level within next 3 years 2007/824365%32%46% 2008/946371%38%68%

AdvAnce Ex apprentices who did progress onto and through HE Were confident and highly motivated Had employer and family support Were able to access locally run relevant part time HE ( SERIO 2008)

A2A On programme IAG and progression opportunities tends to be limited to what the provider has to offer Employer commitment is key to whether an apprentice is able to progress One of the health and social care tutors commenting:’“...employer engagement is the key to progression, rather than learner aspiration”.

Current research Current research into the importance of the IAG new apprentices received suggests that there is scope for change in IAG delivery. Awareness of the progression opportunities within the apprenticeship programme has failed to keep up with growing brand awareness

IAG Influences on Level 4 Recruitment July – Sept 2011

Numbers of level 4+ Apprentices who stated that a key motivation for their undertaking an apprenticeship was that it would help their Career Development

Numbers of level 4+ Apprentices who were motivated to undertake the programme because it was a way of gaining more skills

HLA’s What have been approved? Accountancy Engineering Technology IT and Web Based Telecommunications Business Administration Contract Centre Operations Food & Drink Operations Providing Financial Advice Leadership & Management (Grade 5)

What is being delivered? Cornwall ProviderSectorCurrent ProgrammesHLA StatusCurrent Delivery Cornwall CollegeAccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered EngineeringHNCPart of an HLABeing delivered Leadership & Management Apprenticeship Level 5New HLAStarting to be offered ITApprenticeship Level 4New HLACC say HLA is not yet fit for purpose Truro CollegeAccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered Leadership & Management Apprenticeship Level 5New HLAStarts January 2012 Duchy CollegeAgricultureIs a level 4 DiplomaLantra is developing a single framework Framework yet to be developed ETSBusiness Administration Apprenticeship Level 4HLAStart Delivery January 2012 Leadership & Management Apprenticeship Level 5HLAStart Delivery January 2012 Accountancy +AccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered Acacia TrainingAccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered DCET TrainingElectrical Construction C&G 4467 Diploma Level 4 PlannedFramework yet to be developed

What is being delivered? Devon ProviderSectorCurrent ProgrammesHLA StatusCurrent Delivery Exeter CollegeEngineeringHNCPart of an HLAConsidering AccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered Accountancy +AccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered South Devon College City CollegeEngineeringHNCPart of an HLA Delivering Petroc Bicton CollegeAgricultureIs a level 4 DiplomaLantra is developing a single framework Framework yet to be developed ETSBusiness Administration Apprenticeship Level 4HLABeing delivered Leadership & Management Apprenticeship Level 5HLABeing delivered Acacia TrainingAccountancyApprenticeship Level 4HLABeing Delivered

What still needs to be done? Hands on experience of higher learning - extend the learning experience Ongoing CPD and IAG resources/networks for advisors Engage employers to gain their support Progression plans to be embedded at different stages of framework Awards ceremonies Case Study website

Core messages to employers Higher learning improves staff productivity (evidence – activities around a current live issue) Benefits of “grow your own managers” Higher learning increases staff loyalty (AdvAnce data)

To Summarise Apprenticeships are a potential area of growth in a contracting education market With higher fees for H.E. no EMA’s and increasing numbers of individuals qualified at level 3 the calibre of candidate will rise The IAG message needs to be further developed