1. Degree Apprenticeships A Regional Perspective Gareth Jones
Apprenticeship Strategy Manager
@gmlpfapps

2. Who are GMLPF? Established in 2002
We support our members, the education and skills providers of Liverpool City Region, by
Providing a single voice that represents our members’ views and priorities
Helping our members meet the changing skills needs of our region’s people, communities and businesses
Helping our members adapt to shifts in the local and national skills funding landscape
Sharing best practice with our members
Raising awareness of our members’ services to employers, schools, young people and parents.
Promote Apprenticeships and routes into Apprenticeships as viable, respectable options for those leaving school
Helping our members to flourish as organisations in their own right

3. GMLPF Context in terms of Apprenticeship Delivery
Approx. 100 members
General FE Colleges
Independent Training Providers
Employers e.g. Housing Associations
85% deliver Apprenticeships across Liverpool City Region and beyond
Approx. value of SFA Apprenticeship funding held by members = £200m+
Deliver a broad range of Apprenticeships
Engineering, Admin, Management, Fenestration, IT, Professional Cookery, Accountancy, Construction, Logistics, Horticulture, Manufacturing Operations, Hair & Beauty, Customer Service
Generally deliver Level 2 through to Level 5 Apprenticeships

4. What role do I play within GMLPF ?
An Apprenticeship ‘Expert’
Support members through Apprenticeship Reforms including supporting their employers e.g. events, webinars, guest speakers, literature, etc.
Work closely with Central Government (SFA and EFA) to lobby and disseminate information to members
Work closely with strategic partners e.g. Liverpool LEP and Employment and Skills Board
Sit on the LCR Apprenticeship Hub
Speak at events to promote Apprenticeship Reforms
Work closely with employers to support understanding around Apprenticeships including two HEIs in Liverpool City Region
Support delivery of Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge in Schools (ASK) project

5. Regional Context – Apprenticeship Levy
Nationally
19,000+ employers will pay levy (1.3%)
Generate approx £2.5bn of Apprenticeship Levy funds
North West
3000+ employers based in NW will pay the Levy
Generate approx. £250m+ of Apprenticeship Levy funds

6. Apprenticeship Levy & Funding Reforms
GMLPF supports the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy
Apprenticeship Funding will still be available to most employers
Simplification of Funding
More school leavers are starting to consider Apprenticeships
Less restrictions on who can do an Apprenticeship
Better Quality Training

7. Regional Context
*Aug-April only

8. Advice to Universities
STRENGTHS
University
Good Employer Links
Good strong Provider Networks (Local & National) to support
Standards already developed that you can deliver
CPD Offer for existing staff within employers
WEAKNESS
New to delivering Apprenticeships
Need to develop Apprenticeship Standards
Perceived traditional Academic focus
Lack of understanding of SFA processes
OPPORTUNITIES
Lots of Employers
Lots of Levy to spend
Non-Levy Payers ‘Co-Investment Model’
Partnership with existing providers who deliver lower level skills
You will be Levy payers!
Schools – some open doors
THREATS
New entrant to the market - suspicion
Don’t assume employers will come flooding in – it takes work!
RoATP
ITT – Delivery to non-Levy employers
Uncertainty in the market place
Schools – some doors closed

9. Intermediaries Provider Networks Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
Across all the NW
Access to other projects e.g. Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge in Schools
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
Higher Level Skills priority
Growth sectors
Careers & Enterprise Company
Employer Bodies – CBI, Institute of Directors
Local Authorities
Public Sector bodies
Duty to have 2.3% of staff on an Apprenticeship

10. Tactics for Universities to Adopt
Work closely with your schools/faculties
Choose offer wisely
What sectors do you already work with
Apprenticeship Standard Development
Opportunity to develop Apprenticeships that employers want and that you can deliver
Partnership Working
Existing Training Providers
FE Colleges
Schools
Levy/Non-Levy Employers
Promote Apprenticeship opportunities alongside full time HE course provision!

11. Apprenticeship Strategy Manager
Questions?
Gareth Jones
Apprenticeship Strategy Manager
@gmlpfapps