The audience included specially invited business and education leaders who were asked the question: “Apprenticeships are being reformed, are you ready to face the change?”.

Apprenticeships are an essential pillar of Government skills policy and any organisation involved in the sector has to be prepared for the reforms and adapt their business accordingly – or risk being left behind. So to help organisations better understand the current state of the reforms and the important issues, factors, risks and opportunities, NOCN brought together three experts in skills, training and education to provide their perspectives on the issues that matter in an afternoon of engaging presentations. Each speaker summarised their perspective into their top five points:

Fiona Aldridge, Head of Apprenticeship Policy - Learning & Work Institute - ‘National Policy Perspective on Apprenticeships, Traineeships and loans’:

1. How can we ensure quality as well as quantity?
2. How can we widen access to apprenticeships for those currently underrepresented?
3. How can we support the public sector to meet their apprenticeship target?
4. How can we create effective routes into apprenticeships for young people and adults?
5. What about developing skills for work, outside of the apprenticeship programme?

Graham Hasting-Evans, Managing Director NOCN - ‘Apprentice Assessment Organisation Perspective - the Levy, IfA, new business model and assessment’:

1. Independent assessments, by law. Endpoint assessments must be done by an independent organisation, in law when the Enterprise Bill is passed.
2. Levy for large employers, what about SMEs? SMEs will not have access to funding via the apprenticeship Levy, certainly for some years.
3. Behind schedule, a serious risk! Slow progress on new apprenticeship approvals and operational delivery undermines the Government's strategy.
4. End point assessments, how will they work? Real world case studies show what end-point assessments are all about.
5. New opportunities for providers to get involved. Providers can benefit with a co-ordinated approach to new assessment centres.

Sharon Smith, Vice-Principal, Sheffield College - ‘College Perspective on Apprenticeship Reform’:

1. Who are the key organisations to partner with for delivery?
2. What should our involvement be in end point assessment?
3. What should our overarching delivery model look like?
4. What is the best delivery model for different employers? Is this different for each?
5. Do we have capacity and capability currently within the organisation?

The workshop was productive with everyone learning something new and understanding much more about this important topic. Many people realised just how much progress needs be made before the reforms can replace the current SASE apprenticeships, but the message was clear – this change is coming, so we better be ready.

One important takeaway from the afternoon was an emphasis upon the needs of employers and apprentices. This is not about us - the awarding organisations, FE colleges or training providers - this is about the needs of employers and apprentices and as providers we have to ensure we are meeting their needs first.

If you want to receive a copy of the presentations, send a request to: marketing@nocn.org.uk