Fixing traineeships
By Mark Dawe
Traineeship numbers are falling. This is a very disappointing
development but not surprising to those on the ground. So what
is going wrong?
According to the Off ice of National Statistics (ONS)*, there were
826,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK not in education,
employment or training (NEET), and 42 per cent of them are looking
for work, and available for work, so are classified as unemployed.
(*Figures for October-December 2016).
For many of these young people, traineeships should be their first
step on to the government’s ‘skills ladder’. But there were only a
paltry 11,800 starts on the programme between August last year
and the end of January 2017.
It’s not for lack of demand. Local Jobcentres are still willing to refer
young people to the programme and employers are happy to off er
good work experience opportunities as part of it.
There are two very simple fixes that would transform the
programme by addressing flaws in how success is measured and
the way the government funds traineeships.
Since it began three years ago, the programme’s aim is for the
trainee to progress on to an apprenticeship, a job or further learning.
But the current measurement system substantially ignores these
outcomes, and punishes those providers who are achieving the
goals defined in the policy.
Instead, many providers are driven to focus on qualifications rather
than progression, thus reducing the desirability of traineeships for
young people, and certainly not preparing them for employment.
With overall progression rates suff ering from misguided measuring,
it is no wonder that providers, mindful of their reputations, are
holding back from further investment in the programme.
Measurement must be solely focused on achieveme nt of the
three outcomes under the original aim, and it should also consider
achievement within a window after completion, not just during
the programme.
In addition, as with any programme growing from a zero or low
base, providers need a more responsive funding system, using a
monthly reconciliation system that allows growth to meet demand,
rather than having to wait half a year to see whether additional
support for these young people will be made available.
Employers are raising the entry bar for many apprenticeships.
Therefore traineeships could be a first rung on the ladder of
opportunity for many young people after leaving school.
Ministers in the new government must turn previously supportive
words into hard action so that traineeships take off .
Mark Dawe is chief executive of the Association of Employment
and Learning Providers
markdawe@aelp.org.uk
NEW PRESIDENT
York College principal Dr Alison
Birkinshaw OBE has been announced
as the president-elect of the
Association of Colleges.
Dr Birkinshaw began her FE career
in 1984 at Nelson and Colne College.
She moved to Runshaw College in
2001 as assistant principal, before
moving back to Nelson and Colne in
2004 to take the reins as principal.
She has been principal of York College
since 2008.
She will take over from current
president Ian Ashman at the end of
his one-year term on 1 August.
APPRENTICESHIP PANELS
The Institute for Apprenticeships has
appointed 15 experts, drawn from
various sectors, to chair each of the
panels overseeing the new vocational
routes for education and training.
The panels are responsible for
setting the standards of knowledge,
skills and behaviours expected by
employers for every occupation in
England. The panels will review and
recommend apprenticeship standards
and assessment plans, as well as
advise on funding levels on behalf
of the institute.
Eleven current and recent
apprentices have also been appointed
to a panel of apprentices whose job is
to ensure the apprentice voice is heard
in the decision-making structure of
the institute.
For a list of all appointees visit
goo.gl/j1rz1H
INTUITION ISSUE 28 • SUMMER 2017 7