September 13, 2011
Employers across the UK look set to welcome a raft of changes aimed at making the integration and employment of apprentices easier in the future. Proposals outlined by John Hayes, Skills Minister and MP for South Holland and The Deepings, “will sweep away” bureaucracy hindering managers up and down the country and simplify the apprenticeships system. Under one of the many concepts being introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance, the certification and contracting arrangements involved in taking on such workers will be streamlined, while organisations will face less restrictive paperwork as electronic data will be used more often. Other measures include: A pilot for over 20 large employers who have volunteered to trial “payment by outcomes” which will eliminate a number of data returns and audit requirements. Providing an online plain-English toolkit for employers that clearly explains the end-to-end processes employers need to undertake for apprenticeships. A commitment to no “in year” changes to contracting arrangements. "Where red tape and bureaucracy deters employers from taking on apprentices, we'll sweep it away," said Mr Hayes. “I’m determined that more employers and learners than ever should have the opportunity to benefit from our unprecedented investment in apprenticeships. “That will give more firms access to the skills they need to thrive, creating new jobs and new growth, and it will give many more individuals better prospects and the chance to gain a real stake in society.”