“Today’s apprenticeship figures show the government has got a lot of work to do to get employers on-board with the apprenticeship programme. According to CMI research, nearly half of managers have doubts about the government hitting its target of 3m apprentices by 2020 – but are still overwhelmingly in support of apprenticeships for all ages. They also back the Apprenticeship Levy to transform how employers invest in skills.
“While the number of apprenticeship enrolments have predictably dropped as employers get to grips with changes to the system, CMI research shows that, nationally speaking, nearly half of all managers expect to see a rise in new starts over the next 12 months. One in three managers expect to have more people starting apprenticeship programmes over the coming year, compared to the period since April 2017.
“Clarity will be essential as the government continues to work with employers, particularly SMEs, to dial-up the apprenticeship programme. We welcomed the Chancellor’s recently announced £80m fund to help small businesses access the Apprenticeship Levy, and look forward to seeing details on how this will work in practice. We also want access to the digital apprenticeships service to be extended to small businesses to drive up apprenticeship numbers.
“Managers and employers need certainty to aid the planning of their apprenticeship programmes. We urge the government to remain firm in its commitment to the Levy in its current format and existing funding bands. If the government is to remain in track to reach its target of 3m apprentices by 2020, it must help employers adjust to the new system without any further disruptions.”