AELP lobbies on behalf of its members to represent their views. Our main purpose is to lobby for government funded skills and employment programmes that increase work force productivity and improve social mobility.
You can access the latest news about our work here and login to MyAELP for member only content.
AELP Members can also access a wide-range of additional sector updates including our weekly Countdown newsletter, The Insider quarterly digest, and a range of webinars. If you're interested in accessing this market-leading insight then please visit our MyAELP section.
All Media and PR enquiries should be directed to Rebecca Durber, AELP's Director of Public Affairs: [email protected] or 07814 227365.
Countdown Issue 1075
Date published: 20.05.2022
Member-only
I hope you have all had a good week so far- it’s been quite a week here at AELP, and here are just some of the highlights…
Why Improving Numeracy Does Add Up #NationalNumeracyDay
Date published: 17.05.2022
Member-only
Why Improving Numeracy Does Add Up #NationalNumeracyDay As someone who completed a finance degree, I've always had a passion for numbers. Good numeracy skills are critical from both a personal and professional perspective. 18 May is National Numeracy Day, which is a great opportunity to celebrate and promote awareness about the importance of having good numeracy skills.
Countdown Issue 1074
Date published: 12.05.2022
Member-only
This week I have had the opportunity to catch up face-to-face with lots of colleagues from across the sector. I will come to that later but first news we have been waiting for has landed at long last.
Filton and Bradley Stoke MP visits Association of Employment and Learning Providers
Date published: 11.05.2022
Member-only
Jack Lopresti, Member of Parliament for Filton and Bradley Stoke, has visited the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) to discuss the main issues facing the skills sector – and his work as co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Apprenticeships. AELP’s head office is located in Jack Lopresti’s constituency, where he has been the MP since 2010. During the meeting, Mr Lopresti heard about some of the main issues facing the skills sector at the moment.
Countdown Issue 1072
Date published: 29.04.2022
Member-only
This week, AELP’s board met, and we covered a huge amount of ground with some very lively discussion around key issues for members. We were unanimous on many of the challenges for providers, including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Off the Job Training (OTJT), as well as inflation and the impact of rising costs of delivery on providers. Last week, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), published the subcontracting funding rules (non-apprenticeships) 2022/23, which included a
AELP react to Skills and Post-16 Education Act receiving royal assent
Date published: 28.04.2022
Member-only
AELP have welcomed news that the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 has received royal assent – but warn that further assurances are needed over the list of post-16 education or training providers and Local Skills Improvement Plans.
AELP achieve ‘Investors in Diversity’ award
Date published: 19.04.2022
Member-only
AELP have successfully passed conditional review for the Investors in Diversity award, following a review into its practices carried out by the National Centre for Diversity. The Investors in Diversity Award is recognised as a national equality standard, showing that AELP takes the values of fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement (FREDIE) seriously.
AELP win the National Association Awards for the second year running
Date published: 14.04.2022
Member-only
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has been successful at the National Association Awards (NAA) for the second year running – retaining its place as the Best Membership Organisation (up to 1000 members). Following last year’s win, AELP gave assurances that the organisation would not sit on its laurels and would continue their hard work representing members. AELP are therefore delighted to have retained the Best Membership Organisation award. The NAA 2022 awards
Countdown Issue 1070
Date published: 13.04.2022
Member-only
It has been a shorter week and I am sure that most of us are looking forward to the break that the Easter bank holiday weekend brings! Level Two and Below Qualifications I thought I’d start with the current situation on the plans to streamline the number of qualifications at level 2 and below. We are concerned about the significant impact this could have on members. We have been doing as much as we can behind the scenes to find out more about the government’s plans and to get more information
Countdown Issue 1069
Date published: 07.04.2022
Member-only
“We know that the limit of ten learners is really impacting lots of non-levy employers and this week we have been inundated with requests from members for any information on the refresh.” Non-levy Cap of Ten Apprenticeship Starts Last week, we were inundated with requests from members about what was meant by a ‘review’ of the apprenticeship levy in the Chancellors statement – I will come back to that. This week at AELP has been dominated by a real concern from members about lack of updates on t
Countdown Issue 1068
Date published: 01.04.2022
Member-only
I can’t quite believe we’re already into April, when it feels like 2022 has only just begun. It’s certainly been a whirlwind start to the year, with lots of policy change afoot. Last week, the Chancellor announced there were plans to carry out a ‘review’ of the apprenticeship levy - yet the Treasury have been quite keen to play down the scope of this. Today, I will be meeting with Treasury officials to discuss the levy and a number of other issues following last week’s Spring Statement. I will
Expansion of free courses for jobs scheme welcomed, but extra capacity needed
Date published: 01.04.2022
Member-only
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has welcomed the expansion of the eligibility criteria for the free level 3 courses for jobs scheme which comes into force today (Friday 1 April) – and called for action to ensure greater take up of these valuable courses. The level 3 adult offer was part of the Prime Minister’s lifetime skills guarantee, which he announced at Exeter College in September 2020. AELP and other FE sector stakeholders had long urged the government to
How do you solve a problem like QAR?
Date published: 31.03.2022
Member-only
The apprenticeship programme may have weathered the initial Covid-19 storm, but new dark clouds are already gathering on the horizon this week. I can see the headlines now: “Apprentices let down by poorly performing providers”, but we all know it’s a lot more complex than that. However, providers shouldn’t be the only ones worried about the publication of the 2020-21 Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR) and republication of 2019-20 data.
Countdown Issue 1067
Date published: 25.03.2022
Member-only
Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) 2022 It was great to start the week in Birmingham at the AAC 2022 meeting up with so many colleagues I haven’t seen in person for a while and rounding off the two days celebrating apprenticeships with the Apprenticeship Awards ceremony. It was fantastic to see Nicki Hay undertake her first major speech as Chair of AELP, which she began with a lovely and very well-deserved tribute to her predecessor, Martin Dunford. Nicki used her keynote speech to outline
AELP backs London Assembly plans to boost apprenticeships across the capital
Date published: 24.03.2022
Member-only
AELP backs London Assembly plans to boost apprenticeships across the capital The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has backed London Assembly plans to improve the apprenticeship system, as outlined in a new report by their Economy Committee. ‘You’re Hired: A Bright Future for Apprenticeships in London’ has found that apprenticeship numbers in London have fallen since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy – particularly for younger people. One of the reasons for
Patron Think Piece - It’s Skills and Education Group’s Double Emerald Jubilee
Date published: 23.03.2022
Member-only
At Skills and Education Group, we’re proudly celebrating a history of supporting the further education and skills sector, dating back 110 years. In 1912—the year the Titanic sank, the Royal Flying Corps (forerunner of the Royal Air Force) was established, the character Tarzan first appeared, and Alan Turing was born—the foundations for Skills and Education Group were also being built.
Countdown Issue 1066
Date published: 18.03.2022
Member-only
Annual Apprenticeship Conference I’m really looking forward to attending the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) at the ICC in Birmingham next week. The theme this year is 'Building Back Better with Apprenticeships' – which is very apt, as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst there is no doubt we are all still feeling the impact of the pandemic, we are certainly moving steadily towards a phase of recovery. AELP are as pleased as ever to have a key role in the conference, as a
Countdown Issue 1065
Date published: 11.03.2022
Member-only
National Careers Week This week we’ve been celebrating National Careers Week – a great opportunity to promote the importance of high-quality careers advice and guidance. There’s a vast range of routes into the workplace that students can take after they leave school - but they need to know what they are, and unfortunately we know that doesn’t always happen. The Baker Clause – which means schools must allow colleges and training providers access to students to inform them about all their options
Countdown Issue 1064
Date published: 04.03.2022
Member-only
As we come to the end of another week, I am sure that we are all watching the devastation in Ukraine with sadness. It is a truly awful situation and we can only hope that there will be peaceful solution quickly. Our thoughts will be with the Ukrainian people in the days and months ahead. Level 2 and below qualifications This week, the Department for Education announced its intention to reform post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below excluding GCSEs, functional skills and essential digital
AELP responds to launch of government consultation on reform of level 2 and below qualifications.
Date published: 04.03.2022
Member-only
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has slammed government proposals to reform level 2 and below provision – which AELP believes will lead to a ‘bonfire of qualifications’. Level 2 and below qualifications are often the first step in a life-changing journey towards employment and higher levels of education for learners. They also play an important part in supporting