The state stills remains firmly in control of skills provision in this country despite government claiming that reforms over the last five years have put employers in command. This principal finding came as a result of research conducted by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers and the Further Education Trust for Leadership of 81 FE and skills sector leaders in nine roundtable discussions around England. The research set out to find whether the ‘employer in the driving seat’

Press release: Embargoed until Wednesday 27 March 2019, 00.01hrs

Apprenticeship training providers have called for the radical step of removing the highest and degree level apprenticeships from the scope of levy funding in order to relieve growing pressures on the levy. Funding for these apprenticeships should instead be consistent with whatever the Post 18 Education and Funding Review proposes for full time higher education with a combination of student loan, government grant and employer support where appropriate. Even under a different funding

The National Audit Office (NAO) is right to identify the long-term financial sustainability of the apprenticeship programme as a key issue that the government must address. The highlighting in its latest report that intermediate (starter level) apprenticeships have more than halved since the levy was introduced is also a very important finding.

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers has come out strongly in favour of a growing sector campaign for a Business Administration apprenticeship standard at level 2. This follows disbelief that the relevant trailblazer’s latest proposals were rejected. AELP is now consulting its members and the employer community on a blueprint for the standard prepared by the employer trailblazer, led by East Sussex County Council and supported by Skillsfirst and employers in the private and

AELP appoints its first Devolution Director to help take advantage of fantastic opportunities in the regions The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has made a senior and very experienced staff appointment in response to fast moving developments in the devolution of skills budgets in England.

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers is consulting its members on proposals to avoid a looming ‘car crash’ over the assessment of apprentices at the end of their training. If the latest potential pitfall in the apprenticeship reforms process is not adequately addressed, it could be extremely damaging to the flagship skills programme’s reputation. Under the reforms, every apprentice must be end point assessed before completing their programme. According to the Institute for

The recommendations in the Education Committee’s report, expertly steered by Robert Halfon MP, are to be warmly welcomed and the government should waste no time in implementing all of them, according to the Association of Employment and Learning Providers which represents providers that train 3 out of every 4 apprentices in England.

Association of Employment and Learning Providers Press release – Embargoed until Friday, 21 September 2018, 00.01hrs Fair system must be created to allow employers of all sizes to access apprenticeship funding Smaller employers will need a streamlined digital service to access government funding for apprenticeships when they join the Apprenticeship Service (AS) which is currently operating for large levy-paying employers only.

Association of Employment and Learning Providers Press release – for immediate release, 23 August 2018 GCSE results: Government resits policy branded ‘a disgrace’ with less than a quarter of Maths re-takers passing. School leavers are biggest losers from crash in apprenticeship opportunities, so the government must respond.