Good practice evaluation of the Diversity in Apprenticeships pilots

Apprenticeships form a central component of the UK Government's strategies for social mobility and upskilling the workforce. The National Apprenticeship Service Prospectus (2009) set out an aim to increase the 'number, quality and background of people, applying for apprenticeships'. In autumn 2010, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) commissioned 16 pilots across England to undertake trial activities which would aim to increase demand for, and supply of, apprenticeships among under-represented groups. These were known as the Diversity in Apprenticeship (DiA) pilots. The pilots became operational in winter 2010/11. The funding period varied by pilot, although most operated into spring-summer 2012. The funding was focused on seeding approaches that might be embedded in local contexts. NAS and SFA commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) to undertake a good practice evaluation of the pilots; the evaluation work commenced in autumn 2011. This research was conducted in two stages in autumn 2011 and spring 2012. This report synthesises the emerging evidence about effective and sustainable practices.

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