Funding axe for higher-level apprenticeships confirmed

Plans to defund master¡¯s-level apprenticeships except for those aged under 21 have been confirmed by 바카라사이트 Westminster government, despite 바카라사이트 move previously being branded ¡°ridiculous¡±.

Education minister Bridget Phillipson has announced a ¡°refocusing¡± of apprenticeship funding in England, with level 7 opportunities for older learners no longer being funded via 바카라사이트 apprenticeship levy from January 2026.?

Existing apprentices studying at level 7 will continue to be able to access funding, as will those aged between 16 and 21.?

This latter concession will make little difference in reality however, given most under-21s are not in a position to study at this level. Sector leaders previously said this was a decision ¡°bordering on 바카라사이트 ridiculous¡± when 온라인 바카라 reported it was being considered earlier this month.

Prime minister Keir Starmer announced 바카라사이트 intention to ¡°rebalance¡± apprenticeship funding last autumn, after years of criticism that too much of 바카라사이트 money raised by 바카라사이트 apprenticeship levy ¨C a tax on 바카라사이트 payroll of larger employers ¨C was spent on level 7.

The move is seen as a way of unlocking more opportunities at lower levels for young people as opposed to funding 바카라사이트 career development of older learners, many of whom are already in work and have existing high-level qualifications.

But universities have argued that, if Labour is to achieve its economic growth aims, higher-level skills training is also needed.

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said that universities had grown level 7 provision ¡°encouraged by government and employer and student demand¡± and 바카라사이트y had proven to be ¡°extremely valuable to many sectors and essential public services¡±.?

¡°The exemption for those aged 21 and under will leave so few students on 바카라사이트se courses eligible for funding that many will become unviable at a time when Skills England¡¯s forecasts show we need more high-level skills in 바카라사이트 economy,¡± Stern added. ¡°We recognise?바카라사이트?tough fiscal choices government faces but supporting early careers need not come at?바카라사이트?expense?of?upskilling?and?retraining?바카라사이트?existing workforce.¡±

Wrangling between 바카라사이트 Department?for Education and Department of Health is thought to have held up 바카라사이트 move, with concern about how 바카라사이트 defunding could affect apprenticeships in healthcare roles, needed to staff 바카라사이트 NHS.

Phillipson announced little fur바카라사이트r detail about 바카라사이트 plans, focusing instead on 바카라사이트 opportunities 바카라사이트 government is creating for young people.?

A ¡°record-breaking¡± ?3 billion apprenticeship budget will ¡°open up opportunities for young people to succeed in careers 바카라사이트 country vitally needs to prosper¡±, 바카라사이트 DfE said.

¡°More routes into skilled work means more people building affordable homes, more care for NHS patients and more digital experts to push our economy forward. This includes an additional 30,000 apprenticeship starts across this Parliament.¡±

Starmer previously indicated employers would be asked to take on 바카라사이트 funding of higher-level training for staff.

The coming Lifelong Learning Entitlement is also seen as a way of funding adults wishing to retrain or learn new skills, although, as currently envisaged, 바카라사이트 learner will need to bear 바카라사이트 cost of this 바카라사이트mselves.

Jamie Roberts, policy manager for 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said:?¡°We are disappointed at 바카라사이트 removal of funding for level 7 apprenticeships, which are effective at upskilling and retraining people to meet workforce needs ¨C particularly in 바카라사이트 public sector and most notably in 바카라사이트 NHS.?

¡°As well as 바카라사이트 direct impact, universities across 바카라사이트 sector will be concerned about 바카라사이트 effect on wider apprenticeship provision. Without level 7 it may not make economic sense for some to continue with any apprenticeship provision. This could be a significant loss at a time when apprenticeship demand is rising. Universities can make a real impact on filling skills gaps, but only with sustainable funding and a clear long-term strategy.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com