In response to growing member concern over the government's plans to 'streamline' the current suite of apprenticeships standards, the BRC has signed a CMI petition calling on all leadership and management apprenticeships to be protected.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made clear that, in order to pay for increased flexibility within the new Growth and Skills Levy, alongside the introductions of new offers such as short courses and foundation apprenticeships, existing apprenticeships will be 'streamlined'.
Given DWP's stated priorities of supporting industrial strategy sectors and 'tilting' to young people, members have expressed their concern over the potential loss of apprenticeship standards integral to recruitment and progression within their organisations – including the suite of leadership and management apprenticeships.
With this in mind, we have joined over 5,000 employers and apprentices who have signed the CMI petition, which calls on the government to:
- Protect the full suite of management apprenticeships
- Expand employer choice through new, flexible short courses.
We are working with DWP to organise a member roundtable in the coming weeks, with details to follow.
We are also keen to hear views on your priorities in relation to the Growth and Skills Levy, so we can effectively make the case to government to:
- Protect the apprenticeships retailers care most about, ensuring progression pathways are retained
- Ensure retailers can use more of the money they contribute through a genuinely flexible Levy.
See the full feedback request here and please reach out to Ben with your views.
