Congratulations to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on your resounding victory in the General Election. This marks a significant moment for the country, and we are enthusiastic about the potential for positive change under your leadership.
We look forward to working collaboratively with the new government, particularly with the Secretary of Education, Bridget Phillipson, and Education Minister, Jacqui Smith, in the formation of Skills England and the implementation of the New Skills and Growth Levy.
These initiatives represent a crucial step in addressing some of the fundamental challenges under the current apprenticeship levy and present an opportunity to address the skills gaps in some of our most challenging sectors.
We believe there are several things the new government should prioritise to make the levy fit for purpose:
Change the rules to allow previous experience, assessment time, and initial programme set-up for the individual apprentices to count towards the twelve-month minimum stay.
Allow apprenticeship training providers to fully administer the Apprenticeship System on behalf of employers (if that’s what the employer wants).
Employers know what is best for their apprentices, so let them decide the balance of on and off-the-job training for their staff.
Fix the system so that it pays training providers for work done, thus allowing them to work with employers to build front-loaded or irregular study to fit around the workplace.
Apprenticeships include all skills, knowledge, and behaviours required in any role. Therefore, modularisation of the programme, so that employers can choose what their staff need, makes sense for those who don’t need the whole programme. Modules can be individually certificated and might lead to a full apprenticeship – but only if that is needed. This is a simple flexibility but one that would make a huge difference.
Assess competency as the programme progresses, not all at the end.
We need to be able to look at English and maths requirements by apprenticeship and decide what is needed for each. The Trailblazer groups could do this to keep it in line with the needs of employers.
By enabling more people of all ages to access high-quality training through both apprenticeships and shorter accredited programmes, we can build a system that supports the success of businesses and the future of our economy. Investing in our workforce is essential for driving innovation, increasing productivity, and ensuring that businesses have access to the talent they require to thrive.
Once again, congratulations to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party. We are committed to working together to achieve our shared goals.
Related articles
Crunch Time: Over Half of Hospitality Businesses Risk Losing their Apprenticeship Levy Fund
HIT Training Ltd scoops the award for Best Training Provider at the prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards
New National Chef of the Year is unveiled in front of industry elite
HIT Training Ltd Receives ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating for 14th Consecutive Year
New Graduate Apprenticeship Launched to Build Future Hospitality Leaders
HIT Training Receives Matrix Accreditation
How the ‘Mini-Budget’ Supports Employers, Training and Skills Development
How to Solve Your Staffing Problems with Apprenticeships
What employers need to know about new funding rules
Vacherin’s Nick Smith Crowned Winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year
HIT Launches New Fish Friers Apprenticeship
HIT Training Ltd moves to employee ownership
Mental Health Awareness Week – Dealing with Anxiety
HIT Training Ltd Signs New Business Drive to Help The Nation Through COVID-19 Crisis
An Industry Collaboration
Three Ways to Keep your Staff Motivated and Inspired During Lockdown 3.0
Untapped competition: Meet the 2024 Rising Stars of Brewing
HIT Training First to Launch New Qualification for Health and Social Care Sector
Free online assessment to help employers shape their workforce
HIT Training Ltd named “Learning Provider of the Year” at the 2025 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards
The Opportunity Provider and Scrumptious Marketing Announce Strategic Employer Branding Partnership
HIT Training and BII Collaborate on a Series of Ready to Reopen Webinars
Government announces major youth employment drive and apprenticeship reforms
HIT Training Ltd Wins Excellence in English and Maths Skills Development at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards
Employer Newsletter – We’re here to stay
Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of HIT Training Ltd, Awarded OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
HIT Training Ltd Receives Matrix Standard
Omicron and COVID Plan B Update
HIT produces 1500 free meals on National Hospitality Day
Two HIT Apprentices Make MasterChef Finals
HIT Heroes Apprentice and Employer of The Year 2020 Announced
Leading the Way: Long Awaited Production Chef Apprenticeship is Launched
A Listening Ear Makes All the Difference: World Suicide Prevention Day
Three Signs your Employees are Reaching Burnout – and How to Support Them
The Newt in Somerset Unveils ‘Elevate’ – A Bespoke Hospitality Academy in partnership with HIT Training
HIT Training Ltd Welcomes Government Reforms to Functional Skills and Shorter Apprenticeships
HIT Heroes Award Winners 2023
Gravetye Manor chef takes the top spot in Young National Chef of the Year
How to Offer a Degree Apprenticeship for Employers
What Are Flexible Apprenticeships?
HIT Training Features for Fourth Time in The Sunday Times’ Top 100 Best Companies to Work for’
Alex Angelogiannis wows judges to take top spot in National Chef of the Year competition
