Written evidence to be reported to the House
Education and Skills Bill
12:00 pm
Richard Wainer: There are three particular issues around the apprenticeship programme that need reform. First, more high-achieving young people need to be encouraged into the programme, whether through ensuring that employers have better access to schools to promote the excellent opportunities that many employers provide or through improving careers guidance to counter the academic and gender bias that we often find. The second issue is ensuring that the apprenticeship programme is much more flexible to business needs and can adapt quickly to changing skill requirements. Thirdly, it is about ensuring that there is effective support in place for small employers who want to engage in the programme.