Maximising the value of apprenticeships to Wales

The Welsh Government has decided to retain Apprenticeship Frameworks and qualifications rewarding apprentices' achievements, and not to introduce a voucher scheme enabling employers directly to commission training providers, using money from the UK Apprenticeship Levy. This moves Wales decisively away from English precedents. As such, apprenticeships in Wales are at a crossroads. This independent report undertaken by Beyond Standards on behalf of City and Guilds and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) provides advice on how Wales might develop an exemplary apprenticeships system. The main aims of this report were to: (1) assess the current apprenticeship offer in Wales and highlight the positives and the challenges; (2) consider what apprenticeship needs to look like, and deliver in the future, to provide Wales with the skilled workforce it needs; and (3) make recommendations for changes to the system which could be implemented in both the short and long terms, to achieve the maximum impact. Some practical means to achieve this goal are suggested in this report, with clear recommendations. Separate to this report, the City and Guilds response outlines recommendations for the Welsh Government and a few calls-to-action.

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