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.'

8th 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 ApprenticesHEFCE 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) 2007-9

• A2A ( Aimhigher) 2009-10

• IAG experience new apprentices (LSIS) 2011

AdvAnceGraduating Apprentices

Year Number 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

2007/8 243 65% 32% 46%2008/9 463 71% 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

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Careers Service

NAS / AVMS

Schools Career Advisor

Provider of Training

Local Press

Parents

Friends

Employer

IAG Influences on Level 4 Recruitment July – Sept 2011

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First Choice

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Fifth

Sixth

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

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First Choice

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Sixth

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? CornwallProvider Sector Current Programmes HLA Status Current Delivery

Cornwall College Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being Delivered

Engineering HNC Part of an HLA Being delivered

Leadership & Management

Apprenticeship Level 5 New HLA Starting to be offered

IT Apprenticeship Level 4 New HLA CC say HLA is not yet fit for purpose

Truro College Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being Delivered

Leadership & Management

Apprenticeship Level 5 New HLA Starts January 2012

Duchy College Agriculture Is a level 4 Diploma Lantra is developing a single framework

Framework yet to be developed

ETS Business Administration

Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Start Delivery January 2012

Leadership & Management

Apprenticeship Level 5 HLA Start Delivery January 2012

Accountancy + Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being Delivered

Acacia Training Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being Delivered

DCET Training Electrical Construction

C&G 4467 Diploma Level 4

Planned Framework yet to be developed

What is being delivered? DevonProvider Sector Current Programmes HLA Status Current Delivery

Exeter College Engineering HNC Part of an HLA Considering

Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being Delivered

Accountancy + Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being Delivered

South Devon College

City College Engineering HNC Part of an HLA Delivering

Petroc

Bicton College Agriculture Is a level 4 Diploma Lantra is developing a single framework

Framework yet to be developed

ETS Business Administration

Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being delivered

Leadership & Management

Apprenticeship Level 5 HLA Being delivered

Acacia Training Accountancy Apprenticeship Level 4 HLA Being 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 www.swtpn.com

Core messages to employersHigher 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