Karen Jones, HR Director at leading housebuilder Redrow, comments on the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.

The Government’s recognition of the need to focus on grassroots recruitment through a number of avenues is to be applauded, and the introduction of the Levy will directly increase the number of businesses growing apprentice numbers across the UK. Technical skillsets, in particular in sectors such as construction, engineering and health and social care, are vital to the strength of UK PLC but are currently in short supply so this policy represents a significant step in the right direction.

“The impetus to increase take up however can’t be led by Government alone; now is the time for greater collaboration and industries with skills shortages should unite to better promote the benefits to young people of undertaking apprenticeships, and pursuing a career, in their respective areas. There is also work to be done in terms of schools and a coherent careers education policy. We surveyed 1,000 young people earlier this year, revealing that a third have never received information at school on apprenticeships.

“The Apprenticeship Levy should be viewed as one element of a holistic strategy and we need better collaboration on best practice within industry, as well as improved resourcing and information for schools to encourage children down a technical career path where appropriate. The introduction and future focus on T-levels is therefore welcome.

“Although the emphasis of the Government to date has been on apprenticeship starts, we must move to placing an equal emphasis on measuring and reporting on completions across all sectors and the quality of the training provided, as observed by the Commons Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy. We agree that only through measurement, particularly of attrition rates, can we inform future strategies effectively.”