Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Rejected
Review and support modular apprenticeships for candidates with caring responsibilities in transport manufacturing.
Recommendation
Skills England must undertake a review to ensure that it supports a range of modular or part-time apprenticeships, or other training options in the transport manufacturing sector, to help attract candidates with caring responsibilities or those returning to work from career breaks. Manufacturers receiving levy funding or apprenticeship support should be required to report annually to Skills England on the uptake of those training options by candidates with caring responsibilities or those returning to work from career breaks, to ensure the support is reaching that cohort. Where uptake is low, the options should be revised, or future support should be made contingent on increased levels of uptake. The Government should also consider whether release of levy funding should be made contingent on employers’ delivery against their own diversity targets. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75) 35
Government Response Summary
The government does not plan to impose additional conditions on employers through reporting of training options, believing that employers are responsible for their recruitment decisions and that they have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that their hiring practices provide fair, inclusive, and equitable opportunities for all candidates.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
We agree with the Committee on the importance of providing opportunities for people with caring responsibilities, as well as those seeking to re-enter the workforce. We recognise the need to go further to ensure that the growth and skills levy supports people that would benefit the most from government investment, however, we do not consider that these specific recommendations are the right way to achieve this shared objective. Employers are responsible for their recruitment decisions and have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that their hiring practices provide fair, inclusive, and equitable opportunities for all candidates. Government does not believe that imposing additional conditions on employers through reporting of training options is the right way to achieve diversity in the manufacturing workforce and there are no plans to make growth and skills levy funding contingent on this. Apprenticeships, as with other jobs, can already be undertaken on a part- time basis with agreement from the employer. Apprenticeships training can also be delivered flexibly with agreement between the employer and training provider; options include front-loading training, block release, or accelerating the apprenticeship if the individual has prior learning that enables them to complete more quickly. As the Government develops the growth and skills levy it will continue to work with Skills England to ensure that the offer meets the needs of businesses, delivers value for money and supports economic growth. The reformed levy will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy. As mentioned above, we are launching the first eight apprenticeship units from April 2026, focussing on priority sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), construction and engineering. This means that for the first time, levy payers can use levy funding for training beyond apprenticeships. Apprenticeship units will also be fully funded for non-levy paying employers, who are typically SMEs. Apprenticeship units can be used where a learner does not need to reach full occupational competence, or is already occupationally competent and needs to keep up with emerging technologies or skills. This new offer provides employers greater choice in how they invest in and develop the skills of their current workforce.