Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Rejected
Paragraph: 138
Reform Apprenticeship Levy and increase shared apprenticeship rollout for Welsh creative industries.
Recommendation
Apprenticeships can be an effective and powerful way of developing a diverse and skilled workforce. However, the current system of apprenticeships within the broadcasting sector is inflexible, and does not reflect the needs of a freelance, project-based sector. There must be a fundamental reform of the Apprenticeship Levy in the UK. There must be a fundamental reform of the Apprenticeship Levy in the UK. We call on the UK and Welsh Governments to review the Apprenticeship Levy and to increase the roll out of the shared apprenticeship system in Wales to ensure that they can benefit the creative industries sector in Wales.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects a formal review of the Apprenticeship Levy at this time, stating that apprenticeship policy and spending are devolved. It highlights ongoing improvements to the system in England and other initiatives like T Levels and Skills Bootcamps for creative industries.
Paragraph Reference:
138
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The apprenticeship reforms of the last decade, including the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, has enabled employers of all sizes to make a long-term, sustainable and high-quality investment in training. While the Apprenticeship Levy is UK-wide, apprenticeship policy and spending is devolved meaning the devolved administrations receive a Barnett consequential on English apprenticeship spending. It is for the devolved administrations to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit, including investing in their skills programmes. There will not be a formal review of the Apprenticeship Levy or system at this time, but we are committed to protecting the quality of apprenticeship training and improving the system in England to respond to the legitimate concerns raised by employers. We recently announced a suite of improvements to the system, including launching a new digital platform in Autumn 2023 to help employers and learners identify apprenticeship opportunities and reducing the steps needed to register to take on an apprentice by a third. The Government continues to work with the creative industries, in particular through the Creative Advisory Group with DfE, DCMS and industry representatives. We are working to ensure technical training routes in England, such as apprenticeships, can work for the particular needs of the creative industries. Beyond apprenticeships, by September 2024, we will offer creative T Levels on Craft & Design and Media, Broadcast & Production. In addition, we also provide Skills Bootcamps which are short, dynamic and flexible employer-led training courses. From early 2024, we will launch delivery of Skills Bootcamps to prepare adults for jobs in the creative industries, teaching skills such as Content Creation, TV Production, Project Management for Creative and Cultural Sectors, Augmented Reality and Emerging Technologies, and UI/UX Design for Games.