What challenges are YOU currently facing? 
What are the benefits of apprenticeships etc? 
What are your next steps as a provider? 
What is the outlook for providers? 
I asked Marinos (Chairman) about the outlook for training providers and this is what he had to say: 
 
What challenges are YOU currently facing? 
 
"The economic climate and recent announcements in the budget are a concern. As a small business we have had a difficult time coming out of COVID. Income has decreased and inflation has been at unprecedented levels. The recent hike in employer national insurance payments has been very disappointing and will stretch businesses like ours. 
 
What are the benefits of apprenticeships etc? 
 
Apprenticeships provide an excellent way to develop both new recruits and existing workforce. There is a wide range of apprenticeship standards that meet the needs young people and experienced colleagues. Employers tell us that apprenticeships improve both productivity and retention. However, employers are not using apprenticeships in the same numbers as in the past. Some standards are not clearly not fit for purpose and need revising. 
 
What are your next steps as a provider? 
 
While maintaining our commitment to apprenticeships as our main programme we are looking to further grow our Skills Bootcamp offer and fully paid for commercial courses. We will look to get into areas such as Data, Human Resources, Learning & Development and Management. 
 
What is the outlook for providers? 
 
These continue to be uncertain months for Training Providers while we wait for further information from the new Labour Government. Hopefully we will get some greater clarity on existing and new programmes in the very near future. We are well set with a varied and good quality offer, there is no reason to believe that we will not flourish in the new environment.” 
 
 
What have the Labour Party said about apprenticeships? 
 
July 2024 welcomed a new Labour government, and with it, an aim to tackle a growing skills gap in the United Kingdom with proposed changes to the apprenticeship system to address skill shortages and provide young people with essential skills for a changing job market. 
 
In September 2024, the government announced it is launching apprenticeship reforms in England, replacing the current levy with a growth and skills levy to support foundation apprenticeships in key sectors. These reforms offer flexible, shorter training options and encourage employers to invest in younger workers and higher-level apprenticeships. 
 
In November 2024, The Autumn Budget announced FE funding, but we are still unsure about what that really means for independent training organisations. 
 
According to the DfE education blog
 
“We’re committed to making sure young people have the skills the country needs. That’s why the Budget allocated an additional £300million to further education. We’ll set out in due course how the funds are to be distributed. 
 
We’re also taking steps to transform the Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy by investing £40million to help deliver new foundation and shorter apprenticeships in key sectors.” 
 
Fareport endeavour to keep looking forwards. 
 
 
What changes to government policy do we need? 
 
"We need to see more flexibility in the offer to employers, apprenticeships, including length of some programmes coupled with the off the job training requirements are too inflexible for many employers and learners. 
 
The future of apprenticeships 
 
We would like to see a review of the End Point Assessment Process and the value that it adds. Many employers and learners would prefer shorter apprenticeships with embedded recognised qualifications instead of the EPA which in some cases delays completions and does not always add any value." 
 
Contact us to find out more about the apprenticeships available to you. 
 
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Address 
Westfield House 
Fareham 
Hampshire 
PO16 0DH 
Phone 
01329 825805 
Email 
For Learners / Apprentices - info@fareport.co.uk 
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Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm 

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