Apprenticeship reform: Will it help hospitality?
In a newly-published implementation plan, the Government acknowledged the 10 points set out in the Richard Review almost a year ago, which stated that the quality of apprenticeships needed to improve and that they should be more focused on the needs of employers.
Apprenticeships will now be based on standards designed by employers which will replace all current frameworks by 2017/18. As the new standards are developed and agreed, the Government ultimately plans to cease funding apprenticeships under the existing model.
Eight sector-based ‘Trialblazer’ sectors have therefore been chosen to lead the first phase of this new, apprenticeship-standard design. Hospitality is not one of them.
Hospitality trailblazers
Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said: “We’re really pleased with this decision, especially as employers in our industry have been preparing for this outcome and working with us for some months on how these standards could look.
“However, given employers have been preparing for these changes, it’s certainly disappointing that neither our industry nor any other service sector has been named among the trailblazers that will test the model.”
Wisdom also pointed out that the hospitality employers People 1st has been working with have already expressed ‘strong concerns’ that the apprenticeship models that are developed may not work for their businesses.
“A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach will not easily transfer across other sectors and we have a real concern that SMEs will be excluded as there is no requirement to get a broad range of industry views,” he added.
“To help combat this, we’re already working with employers in our sector to support them in their bid to join the trailblazers.”
Discouraging employers
The changes will also mean that apprenticeships will be made to existing employees of all ages, but only in cases where there is substantial training required in a skilled occupation. People 1st welcomes the fact that apprenticeships will no longer be restricted to new staff, but Wisdom did express concerns about other changes.
“The 20 per cent offsite requirement and greater financial contribution from employers will probably discourage some employers from offering apprenticeships, particularly SMEs, which will make it harder to address skill needs,” he said.
“Of an even greater concern is that these changes and possible drop in apprenticeship numbers comes at a time when a third of the 660,000 new jobs available will be for managers and skilled roles.”
While the changes will not take effect until 2017, the transition will start from 2015.
“There is still time for employers to prepare – and we know this is an area that they’re already working on – but significant changes like this will create considerable uncertainty and upheaval,” added Wisdom
To view the Government’s apprenticeships implementation plan,click here.
What do you think? Are any these changes going to be a positive for the industry? Are apprenticeships the best way into jobs nowadays? Perhaps you run a hospitality business yourself and have your own thoughts about how apprenticeships should be delivered. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
