We welcome the research of this report and the recommendations made.

The report summarises the role of intermediaries in the context of the trends seen in apprenticeship numbers, and the barriers cited by employers and especially SMEs. The report also looks at some international case studies, both within systems we tend to look up to as exemplars of excellence, and those who share some similar challenges to our own. To support apprenticeships to better address skills shortages, support growth in productivity, and benefit those who experience disproportionate labour market disadvantages, th report proposes four recommendations:

• Every SME should be guaranteed access to high-quality intermediary support via a comprehensive national network of intermediaries.
• The UK government should establish Apprenticeships Support England, an umbrella body operating at arm’s length from government, to ensure quality, consistency and economies of scale.
• The UK government should redirect funding from levy top-ups to provide core funding to Apprenticeships Support England and provide seed funding to support the development of apprenticeship intermediaries where gaps exist.
• The UK government should commit to formal evaluation to underpin future investment and support for apprenticeship intermediaries to build a robust evidence base on ‘what works’.