Issue - meetings

A report was presented providing the Committee with an overview of the apprenticeship reforms including the apprenticeship levy, and the development of an Apprenticeship Growth Plan to support individuals, employers and providers.

In the spring of 2017 the Government introduced the Apprenticeship Levy for all employers with a pay bill over £3 million, this would impact 2% of businesses in England.

The Government had set a target to achieve 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020 which was underpinned by a series of reforms in apprenticeship policy and funding. It was noted that a significant step change would be required in order to meet this target given the number of apprenticeship starts prior to the Levy. The money taken by HMRC through the PAYE system would only be used by employers for the purposes of training and assessment of apprenticeships. New standards of qualifications would be developed by groups of employers and expanded to include higher and degree level apprenticeships putting employers at the heart of the system. It was noted that the Levy was not just for young people starting their careers but would provide the opportunity for people of all ages and levels to change career path. The Levy could essentially allow any person to obtain a degree without having to go to university in the traditional sense of attending university on a full time basis and paying tuition fees.

The purpose of the Apprenticeship Growth Plan was to make the apprenticeship system work for Lancashire, encompassing the areas supported by Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Borough Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The Plan identified key priorities and actions to help deliver the growth targets, local needs and opportunities and skills gaps. It was noted that the Plan was a live document and would be continually updated. A glossary of acronyms would be incorporated.

The Lancashire Skills and Employment Strategic Framework identified growth in apprenticeships as a key priority in tackling replacement demand and skills shortages, as well as improving economic wellbeing in Lancashire. The framework was published on the LEP website. It was noted that the version supplied with the agenda papers was for 2017/18 and not 2016/17 as stipulated.

Questions and comments by the Committee in relation to the report were as follows:

·  On skills gaps it was noted that apprenticeship standards could only be developed by a group of employers if there was a gap that needed to be addressed. It was also noted that this approach would be the most suitable way for employers to spend the Levy.

·  The Committee was informed that there were now going to be nursing apprenticeships and apprenticeships in many different areas because employers would be paying the Apprenticeship Levy.

·  The County Council was in the process of developing two 'trailblazer' apprenticeship standards to meet specific public sector needs. It was noted that the term trailblazer was a reference to the standard whilst it was being developed.

·  On the definition of apprenticeship, it was highlighted that apprenticeships would not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7