In a letter to @SajidJavid, the Secretary of State @BisGovUK, @CBICarolyn has set out the business #Apprenticeship Levy proposals for an effective system.
The levy must ensure training is relevant and valuable for businesses and that it helps people to build successful careers.
The opportunity exists to create a truly stable, business-led #Apprenticeship levy system that offers growth for companies, bridges the skills gap and improves social mobility - but only if the Government gets the detail right.
.@CBICarolyn sets out four principles that business would like to see embedded within the new #apprenticeship system, to give it the best chance of long-term success.
1. #Apprenticeships must be driven by economic and business need
A new system must represent a transition from a government-led system to a truly business-led one to help meet the needs of firms on the ground. The introduction of a new Institute of Apprenticeships is welcome but it must now establish its credibility and longevity.
2. Flexibility in the #Apprenticeship system by sector & size of firm is essential
The new Institute should be empowered to offer flexibility in design of the system to give freedom to different sectors in pursuing the approach that works best for them, with a special focus on SMEs and smaller levy payers.
3.The levy should fund quality & reward commitment in the #Apprenticeship system
The levy system must help drive growth in technician-level skills (levels 3 and 4) as well as offering value for money at level 2.
The Institute must use its role to reward the most committed firms via an 'allowable expense' regime to help firms reclaim spend on administering apprenticeships, such as capital investment and staff time.
4. Relevant and simple #apprenticeship standards across all parts of the UK will remain key
With so much focus on funding we cannot afford to ignore the need to reform apprenticeship standards, so keeping up the pace on moving to a slimmer, business-led set of standards will be essential.
It must also prove coherent and effective over the four different skills systems in the UK that the levy covers.
