Apprenticeships endangered by Levy uncertainty, warns FMB
Published: 08 June, 2016
Growth in apprenticeship numbers in Scotland could be scuppered unless the Scottish government commits to ring-fencing the new UK-wide Apprenticeship Levy for training, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Scotland has warned.
Modern apprenticeship starts in Scotland achieved their annual targets in 2015/16, with 25,818 being started against the 25,500 target. The Scottish government has committed to increase apprenticeship starts to 30,000 by 2020.
This year, 79% of apprentices beginning their courses were aged between 16 and 24, while the number of starts at level 3 and above has increased by 1% to 65%. Over a third of all Scottish apprenticeship starts were in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) frameworks, with 19% being specifically tailored towards construction skills. Of the apprentices, 59% were male and 41% female.
Responding to the figures, which were published by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Gordon Nelson, director of FMB Scotland, said: “Although the increase in apprenticeship numbers is welcome, the quality and employment outcomes of apprenticeships should take precedent. Equally there is now a fear that this good work could soon be undone if the Scottish government doesn’t commit to re-investing funds raised by the new UK-wide Apprenticeship Levy. There is a leadership vacuum in terms of demonstrating how the Apprenticeship Levy will be implemented in Scotland.”
The figures in the SDS report related to modern apprenticeships where there is a public funding contribution administered by SDS on behalf of the Scottish government.
Mr Nelson continued: “In the Scottish government’s defence, the Apprenticeship Levy has been foisted upon them with no or very little consultation. The business community in Scotland has been particularly frustrated as it was impossible to properly engage with policy-makers on this important matter in the run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections.
“Now that the elections are behind us, and the relevant Ministers are in place, we want a clear message from the Scottish government that they will engage with the construction industry and others to develop a workable policy for investing the Apprenticeship Levy that works for the Scottish construction sector.”
The FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey showed that nearly half of SME employers are struggling to recruit carpenters, and that more than one in three are finding it difficult to source plumbers, something Mr Nelson said could have “a potentially disastrous effect” on the nation’s key housing and infrastructure objectives.
“The only way to ensure that Scotland keeps building is by developing more home-grown talent, and to achieve this, the construction industry needs the government to prioritise quality apprenticeships and the upskilling of existing workers,” he concluded.
The full report can be found online here: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/41664/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-4-2015-16-2-1.pdf
