In response to the Department for Education’s announcements on a ‘radical skills revolution’, University Alliance have commented on the limitations placed on Level 7 apprenticeships.
University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said:
“Limiting funding for the highest level of apprenticeships to 16–21-year-olds, an age group that only rarely has enough experience to be eligible for them outside a few select subjects, is a nonsense.
Given the impact this decision will have on the viability of higher-level apprenticeships, the effect will likely be a dramatic reduction in the availability of these essential qualifications. Level 7 apprenticeships have been a skills success story across a whole host of sectors, including many that will be key to delivering the government’s industrial strategy, and employers have been clear that this will further exacerbate skills shortages.
The effects of this will be serious, especially for vital employers like the NHS, local authorities and education, who don’t have access to additional budget to fund these qualifications outside of the apprenticeship levy. Subjects like nursing tend to attract more mature students, so today’s announcement will essentially make Level 7 nursing apprenticeships undeliverable.
We want to work with government to support the growing number of young people who are not in employment, education and training, but interventions in this space cannot overlook the needs of employers, and I am concerned that today’s decision shows a real lack of alignment.”
