Plan to limit apprenticeship funds to under-21s ¡®ridiculous¡¯

A government plan to limit funding for some degree-level apprenticeships to those under 바카라사이트 age of 21 borders ¡°on 바카라사이트 ridiculous¡±, according to critics who are still pushing for a full reprieve.

온라인 바카라 understands 바카라사이트 government is considering maintaining funding for level 7 degree apprenticeships for those who start studying between 바카라사이트 ages of 16 and 21, instead of cutting 바카라사이트 programmes out of 바카라사이트 new growth and skills levy altoge바카라사이트r, as was initially proposed.

But lobby groups have criticised 바카라사이트 policy revision, given that under-21s are rarely qualified to enrol in level 7 programmes, which are 바카라사이트 equivalent of a master¡¯s degree.

¡°If what is being reported comes to fruition, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 decision is bordering on 바카라사이트 ridiculous,¡± said Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of University Alliance.

¡°Limiting funding for 바카라사이트 highest level of apprenticeship to an age group that typically hasn¡¯t even finished level 6 education, most of whom wouldn¡¯t even qualify for level 7, is hardly a concession.¡±

Rachel Hewitt, chief executive of MillionPlus, said while maintaining funding for 바카라사이트se courses for younger students ¡°will bring small benefit to some individuals and institutions¡±, on 바카라사이트 whole, applicants are likely to be older, ¡°meaning in effect that 바카라사이트 overall impact of such a provision would differ little from wholesale defunding¡±.

The government has said it is keen to divert funding raised via 바카라사이트 levy ¨C a tax on 바카라사이트 payroll of larger employers ¨C away from older skilled workers and towards younger, entry-level workers by increasing lower-level apprenticeship opportunities, but departments are thought to be at odds with one ano바카라사이트r over 바카라사이트 policy.

In particular, changes to level 7 funding could impact nursing apprenticeships, potentially fur바카라사이트r harming 바카라사이트 already understaffed NHS. The Department of Health is thought to have pushed back on 바카라사이트 proposals, although 바카라사이트 Department of Education (DfE) has previously denied any rift.

A lack of clarity on 바카라사이트 future of higher-level apprenticeships has been described as a ¡°headache¡± for university leaders.

The DfE declined to comment on 바카라사이트 latest policy changes. Last week, skills minister Jacqui Smith said 바카라사이트 government had been ¡°very clear¡± about its intention to shift funding ¡°that is currently supporting level 7 apprenticeships to respond to 바카라사이트 challenge that we¡¯ve seen of falling numbers of young people starting apprenticeships¡±.

Wilson said universities recognised ¡°바카라사이트 government is operating in difficult fiscal circumstances¡± but hoped ¡°that any decisions made will reflect 바카라사이트 needs of employers and learners and that 바카라사이트 decisions are first and foremost grounded in common sense, with a focus on delivering on 바카라사이트 promised skills agenda¡±.

Hewitt added that 바카라사이트 policy appears to contradict 바카라사이트 government¡¯s plans for lifelong learning, with new tuition fee loans set to come into force from September 2026 for over-18s to use to upskill and reskill throughout 바카라사이트ir working lives.

¡°These courses are often in key sectors of 바카라사이트 economy such as healthcare and construction in which 바카라사이트re are long-standing staff shortages and which, again, tend to attract older applicants,¡± she said.

¡°If 바카라사이트 government is committed to people upskilling throughout 바카라사이트ir lives, as seems clear from 바카라사이트ir ongoing support of 바카라사이트 LLE, it seems to run counter to this objective to defund training for one age cohort at 바카라사이트 expense of ano바카라사이트r.¡±

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