The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) found a 4.2% increase, up to 10,940 starters, in 2012/13 in their yearly benchmarking report. Apprenticeship start figures have been falling since 2009/10 in the face of economic recession, with a 14.8% decrease recorded in 2011/12 according to figures from the Skill Funding Agency. […]

We are now in July and into the summer break for most education providers and so as a student, what do you do now??!! Well you probably have about 6 weeks to make the most of the potentially nice weather but also to get yourself prepared for the next year of your course or starting […]

          Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, “It has been clear for a long time that the direction of travel for Apprenticeship funding has been towards giving employers more control. As a principle, we are positive about that, and we believe these proposals will enable some key […]

Its June already and we are near the end of the academic year and halfway through the calendar year! The college race team is now halfway through the racing year with just two weekends at Donington Park and Silverstone (3 rounds at each event) left to go. So far we have made an excellent start […]

        The new, employer-led funding model for the first Trailblazers’ group has been issued for apprentices starting on or before July 31 next year — and it has been set at a maximum of £2 from the public purse for every £1 from an employer. It is believed to be the first […]

        In new joint guidance from BIS and the Department for Education out today and due to come into force for new starts from August, the rule has been replaced with an “expectation that work placements will last between 100-240 hours”, effectively between two and 7 weeks at 35 hours a week. […]

          The £20 million fund for skills-based projects, which would be match-funded by the successful employers, is part of government’s Employer Ownership Initiative. Automotive component manufacturers and companies providing manufacturing services can apply for up to 50% co-funding for training designed to raise capabilities. The aim is to help UK-based suppliers […]

Welcome to my May 2014 blog. It’s nearly the end of the academic year and most of you will be revising for exams shortly and completing practice/sample papers. The final part of the year is always the most stressful for students, particularly those in the final year with projects and dissertations to complete. Time management […]

Read AELP’s latest Briefing Paper No7: Apprenticeship Reforms – Giving Employers a Real Choice here

I ts April already and there is lots to talk about as the Motorsport season is now well underway in most formulas. The MotoGP series testing has concluded with Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa looking like the early title favourites although Rossi and new boy Marquez will be expected to fight for race wins. They […]