Apprenticeships: the new way forward

What do YOU think of the current cleaning apprenticeships? When we’ve asked this question before typical responses include: 

• ‘I didn’t know there were any’;  
• ‘The standards are old fashioned and the industry does not attract young people’;
• ‘We need more information about the levels of apprenticeships and what they cover’.

So the industry clearly needed to make some changes. Have you heard of ‘trailblazers’? In 2012, the Government commissioned the Richards Review which recommended that new apprenticeships should be employer-led; there should be one industry standard; training should be more effective; and the whole system of apprenticeships should be simplified. 

The new apprenticeships must be of at least 12 months duration. They must contain sufficient content that a learner should be stretched, followed by independent end-point assessment. Functional Maths and English must be a key component of the standard and there must be a standard for each occupation which describes the level of skill knowledge and behaviours required. 

As of April 2017, employers with a pay bill of more than £3 million will be required to pay a levy (0.5%) into the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS). The DAS can only be spent on training and assessment of apprenticeships. Non levy-paying employers are eligible to deliver apprenticeships and receive appropriate funding. The government aims to have 3 million apprentices in place by 2020.

Apprenticeship in development

So, what is happening?  Over 10 large, medium and small employers have grouped together and have had an ‘expression of Interest’ accepted by Government to develop a new level 2 cleaning operative apprenticeship. I have accepted the position of chair of the group with Barbara Ellul from City and Guilds supporting the secretariat. 

The first formal meeting will take place on Monday 10^th October and from that a timeline and action plan will be developed. In the next editorial we will let you know who is on the group and which associations will be attending with emails so that you can contact them for information.

For more information on trailblazers go to the government website – The Future of Apprenticeships in England – Dec 2015. 

GO ON GET INVOLVED – let’s show that the cleaning industry deserves professional recognition.

Contact lorraine.larman@lccss.co.uk  or Barbara.ellul@cityandguilds.com with questions or clarification.