This was an area that we had already undertaken some ground-breaking work in through our prison education organisation, Novus, who had been working with our apprenticeship provider Total People to develop a foundation apprenticeship that would enable us to fast-track offenders into sustainable employment upon release. 

Government research from 2015  clearly shows that employers’ satisfaction with apprenticeships has increased, rising from 83% to 87%. The vast majority (83%) of employers would recommend apprenticeships to others, and just over a third of them (37%) would recommend apprenticeships to other employers without being asked.

Government are putting FE Colleges at the heart of these developments and new delivery models, which is very good news. Institute for Apprenticeships The Government’s plan to expand the role of the nascent Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA), so that, in 2018, it will become the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is also positive, so long as it is properly resourced.

Total People works closely with employers who pay the Government’s apprenticeship levy, as well as supporting SMEs across Cheshire, Manchester, Greater Manchester and the wider North West. A full commitment to the new apprenticeships standards, along with continued support from the European Social Fund and the Adult Education Budget, allows Total People a significant opportunity to offer employers a full and sustained response to their skills needs.