Here's a summary of the latest skills policy news.
Apprenticeships
• The government is moving from 15 apprenticeship standard funding bands to 30 from August. New standards will be allocated one of the 30 new bands, while existing standards will retain their existing funding caps. More here.
• The government has also announced it will not withdraw a number of apprenticeship frameworks until 2020, when it expects all starts in these areas to be on new standards. You can see the list here.
• Employers spent just 10% of their apprenticeship levy funds in the first 12 months of its operation. More here.
• Apprenticeship starts continue to be down on last year, with a 58% drop. More here.
• The Institute for Apprenticeships has been issued with new strategic guidance to focus on improving the quality of apprenticeships and the system, and to take on its new responsibilities for T Levels. More here.
T-Levels
• The government has announced a number of changes to the T Level policy following a consultation exercise. A future review of non-GCSE options available to 14-16 year olds is also planned. More here.
• The DfE has started engaging with providers on procurement for the Wave 1 T Levels. More here.
• A survey has found that fewer than one in ten employers currently offer the kind of work placement the new T Levels will require. More here.
Other Policy News
• Ofqual is on the lookout for external experts to help to ensure qualifications are fit for purpose. It wants people working in education who have extensive skills and experience in a particular industry. More here.
• Adults earning less than £15,736.50 (the Social Mobility Commission's low earnings threshold) will be able to access Adult Education Budget funding for education and training in 2018/9, as part of a one-year government trail. More here.
