Employers group joins criticism of apprenticeship levy
Matthew Pinto-Chilcott, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “Following our previous blog in relation to National Apprenticeship Week, it is interesting to read this article ‘Employers group joins criticism of apprenticeship levy ‘ and the comments that have been made in relation to the complex funding system and the fact that £600 m was returned to the Treasury last year. I must admit I have, having worked with the system and wished to have an Apprentice; it is extremely complex. It defeats the whole objectives of what the scheme is set up for, to provide structured, professional experience and development in the workplace whilst gaining valuable work / profession skills. Employers must also, though ensure they develop the Apprentice and not just use them for mundane tasks such as filing and making the tea and encourage them with support to gain the skills the profession needs!”
NEWS ARTICLE: Employers group joins criticism of apprenticeship levy
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers has claimed the apprenticeship levy funding system is too complex and must be reformed. The group, which represents businesses that deliver apprenticeships, employability support and vocational training, wants the Government to simplify the system and to provide more support to encourage young people and smaller employers to use it. Jane Hickie, its chief executive, said it would “lobby the government to have a minimum level of funding for apprenticeships, which we reckon would be about £5,000”. She said this particularly affected the hospitality and retail sectors, where the funding bands were insufficient to achieve a high enough standard. It comes after the Co-operative Group revealed that more than £600m was returned to the Treasury last year because businesses were unable to meet the restrictive requirements for drawing on the money they had paid in. Alongside the British Retail Consortium, UKHospitality, techUK and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, it is calling for an overhaul of the levy.
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