Government reforms risk undermining the credibility of apprenticeships, says CIPD

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has expressed serious concerns over new Government reforms aimed at boosting training and skills, warning that the measures could ultimately do more harm than good to the UK’s apprenticeship system.

Following the Government’s announcement today of 120,000 new training opportunities for young people, Lizzie Crowley, senior skills adviser at the CIPD, acknowledged the positive intent but questioned the effectiveness and depth of the proposed changes.

She said: “The Government’s announcement of 120,000 new training opportunities for young people is welcome recognition of the urgent need to address persistently high levels of youth unemployment, economic inactivity, and technical skills shortages.

“However, a more ambitious approach is needed to genuinely expand opportunities and rebalance the system in favour of young people, including an apprenticeship guarantee for all 16-24 years olds.”

While the reforms are framed as a step towards increasing youth participation, the CIPD argued that some of the measures are unlikely to have the desired effect.

One of the most contentious points is the decision to restrict government funding for all Level 7 (postgraduate-equivalent) apprenticeships to those aged 16 to 21.

According to Crowley, this move is unlikely to significantly increase youth involvement, as “fewer than one in 10 apprentices who train at this level fall within this age bracket.”

Crowley stressed that although rebalancing the system toward younger participants is an important goal, the approach taken by the government is too simplistic.