Apprenticeship plans must provide opportunities for all – Chamber

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham say the Prime Minister’s plan to “rebalance” apprenticeships must include opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels.

In his party conference speech yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer announced a proposed reform of apprenticeships in the UK.

He said the Government would “rebalance” spending in favour of young people by shortening the programmes and restricting employer investment on level 7 training.

This would include moving some level 7 apprenticeships outside the scope of levy funding.  

The Prime Minister also confirmed plans for new, paid ‘foundation’ apprenticeships, similar to unpaid traineeships that were scrapped under the previous government.

He vowed Labour would “get our skills system right”, adding: “We’ve got to give businesses more flexibility to adapt to real training needs and also unlock the pride, the ambition, the pull of the badge of the shirt that young people feel when building a future, not just for themselves but for their community.”

Emily Stubbs (pictured), head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Skills shortages continue to be a major challenge for local firms, restricting economic growth in the West Midlands.

 “A more flexible apprenticeship levy that funds training at all ages and skill levels, based on employer needs is something we've long argued for as part of a more navigable skills system that incentivises employer investment in training.

“These further details of the proposed new Growth and Skills Levy are welcomed.

“However, higher level apprenticeships play a critical role in career progression for many residents in the West Midlands and businesses and training providers will need urgent clarity from the Government on how these will be funded in the future.

 "Local firms will also need reassurance that these planned reforms will not burden them with increased costs in what remains a challenging economic landscape."

For information on how the Chambers, key stakeholders and the region’s education and training providers are working together to support skills provision locally, read the West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan and our latest progress report.