The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships has launched a call for evidence as part of its 2019/20 report. It is looking to explore how the sector has responded to COVID-19 and what further work is required to improve apprenticeship policy for the future.
The Chair of the APPG on Apprenticeships, Karin Smyth MP said:
“We’re keen to hear from leading business, training providers, representative organisations, charities and others working within in the apprenticeships space to hear how you have coped with the challenges of COVID-19, we’re also interested to hear your recommendations for policy makers on how apprenticeships can play a key role in the long term economic recovery of the UK.”
The APPG is inviting written submissions to inform this inquiry. Submissions should be a maximum of two pages and be emailed to ApprenticeshipsAPPG@connectpa.co.uk with the subject ‘APPG on Apprenticeships: evidence submission’.
It has asked following questions:
• What are the opportunities and challenges you have faced in response to COVID-19?
• How has your organisation responded and adapted to supporting apprenticeships?
• What recommendations would you have for policy makers to support apprenticeships policy in the future?
• How can we ensure that apprenticeships play an important role in economic recovery beyond the COVID-19 crisis?
FIESTA has submitted the following written responses to the APPG.
What are the opportunities and challenges you have faced in response to COVID-19?
The sector has responded to COVID-19 like many others. The majority of businesses have ceased trading during the pandemic whilst others have continued remotely where facilities have permitted. Largely individuals have fallen into 3 categories; the lock down and relax group (typically furloughed), at home working/studying group and the group where jobs have been lost or combined.
Providers have embraced online learning and support provided to apprentices. Apprentices have embraced and welcomed this switch. FIESTA have applied for grant funding the create an app that will provide mentoring services to apprentices and learners studying furniture and interiors related qualifications. The app will connect employer representatives to apprentices and learners who will provide regular support. The app will also serve as a repository for careers and industry information to support learning such as preparation for interviews. Its important to note that many employers and some apprentices have turned to supporting the NHS during the pandemic for example one furniture manufacturer provided all the furniture to the Nightingale hospital.
Restrictions - Since the easing of lockdown, providers working within the sector have advised of some difficulties obtaining access to apprentices. Employers operating with skeleton staff are struggling to release apprentices for training opportunities or face to face visits are restricted due to COVID-19 safety regulations. Many businesses will continue to have stringent measures in place to protect their workforce and operations so it is expected that many will restrict access to employees or their premises. This in turn will make learning and end-point assessment more difficult unless flexibilities are extended until the pandemic is over.
End-point Assessment (EPA) – The undertaking of EPA has been severely disrupted due to COVID-19. This has resulted in contract extensions and the delay of learners going through EPA. Devastatingly, some learners have been made redundant without achieving their EPA due to the delays.
Decline in trading has resulted in some apprentices losing their roles and employers having to restructure, make redundancies and embrace technologies. This is likely to continue for some time as a new ‘norm’ is created for the sector. Additionally, many have put a freeze on new apprenticeships until this new world balances out.
FIESTA was supporting the revision of the Level 2 apprenticeship standard Furniture Manufacturer which has now been delayed for 6 months.
How has your organisation responded and adapted to supporting apprenticeships?
FIESTA have provided members with a dedicated apprenticeship management service to support them with engaging the opportunities and navigating the complexities. Skills Plus was created 18 months ago but now finds itself perfectly placed to support the challenges the industry faces.
FIESTA has promoted The Furniture Makers’ Company increased the package of support to struggling apprentices who have been financially shaken by the COVID-19 crisis.
The charity, which has been supporting the welfare of people in the industry for more than 100 years, has been awarding Personal Support Grants to members of the trade to help mitigate against the loss of earnings people are experiencing as a result of being furloughed, made redundant or unable to work.
One of our partners is the end-point assessment organisation, they have applied flexibilities to end-point assessment with the approval of the Institute to ensure that assessments can restart with relative ease.
What recommendations would you have for policy makers to support apprenticeships policy in the future?
Flexible apprenticeship standard review policy – The current IFATE route panel reviews have been delayed; this has caused a knock-on effect on planned standards reviews. The current Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer standard is now fit for purpose and we have had to delay the review for at least 6 months as IFATE have blocked the review whilst the Engineering and Manufacturing Route review has been taking place.
Extend flexibilities applied to standards until the end of the year to allow the market to restart with ease and accommodate a second wave should this occur. It is better to be proactive than reactive in the current environment. Flexibilities include requirement for Level 2 English and Maths outcomes for Level 2 standards and adjustments made to individual end-point assessment components. Hold any review of standards or funding review that are not absolutely critical until the education and training market is back to being fully operational. Where there are identified issues with standards these should be resolved. Additional changes to funding, rules or standards will result in employers being less likely to take them up.
How can we ensure that apprenticeships play an important role in economic recovery beyond the COVID-19 crisis?
FIESTA welcomes the recent announcements from Government that will support apprenticeships and young people into work. Apprenticeships play a critical role in our industry and through this difficult time we see the new standards playing an essential role in recovery. Not only will they support new entrants and school leavers or those who were planning on a university education with the opportunity to learn whilst at work but we shouldn’t forget that they also play a critical role in supporting those who have lost their jobs. Apprenticeships have no age boundary and should be encouraged amongst those who now find themselves out of work as a way to retrain and bring additional skills into the sector. Manufacturing in the UK plays a critical role in economic recovery but before COVID-19 there was a lack of new talent and skills coming through to replace the aging workforce. We must use this tragic event as an opportunity to revitalise manufacturing and attract highly skilled individuals and new entrants into the industry. Any additional funding to support this would of course be most welcome by employers and learners.
Visit https://www.fiestalearning.com/ to find out more about FIESTA.