Changes to Apprenticeships

Since their reinvention in 1994 Apprenticeships have moved along with changing times for both learners and employers. 

During this period:

• technology has dramatically changed the apprenticeship landscape not only from a content perspective but also in terms of delivery methods and communications with learners and their employers
• Government legislation changes with the introduction of the apprenticeships Levy
• Sector changes implementation of the Apprenticeship standards to enable apprentices to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they have learned during their programme
• New higher level standards to enable learners and employers to further develop their knowledge and skills to Level 5, 6 and 7
• Evolution of functional skills, previously Key Skills, to ensure that they are more integral to learner experience

And at Busy Bees Education and Training we have not only moved along with the times, we have been proactive in ensuring we are involved in the employer voice particularly in the Care sector, to make sure we are ready to implement and adapt to the landscape. 

In the past 5 years alone we have increased from Apprenticeships in Early Years, Catering and Management to our own Busy Bees Nursery staff, with only 2% of these being at Higher Level.  This is now across 7 sectors including Adult Care, Administration, Residential Care and Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools at Levels 2 – 5, with over 15% now at Higher Levels, not only to Busy Bees  Nursery teams but to external employers large and small.  The number of learners has also increased from 500 to 1300 in May 2021.

Whilst the pandemic has been our biggest challenge to date, due to our experienced, committed and inventive delivery and office teams, we have been able to continue to not only provide learning to our current learners but also continue to recruit learners throughout the past year.

Recent changes to the apprenticeship levy funding rules mean that we are now able to offer these high quality apprenticeship programmes t those employers who do not pay the levy, some of whom it remains 100% funded to ensure opportunities are available to small businesses at such a pivotal time. 

New and emerging technologies will continue to shape the world we live in and have a continual impact on the evolution of apprenticeships, with local, national and global commitments and requirements.  New Apprenticeships are continually in development and we are working with partners to launch the Early Years Lead practitioner, alongside monitoring and review of potential new areas for development and delivery.

Increases in the number of Combined and Mayoral authorities across England will mean new funding opportunities for local development in key sectors as well as national initiatives and incentives following the impacts of the pandemic.

For the future we are looking forward to working pro-actively with IFATE (the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education), Awarding Organisations, End Point Assessment Organisations, Sector forums, employers and our colleagues in Government to ensure we offer outstanding options and experiences.