Office of the Leader of the House of Commons

Apprenticeship Reform Bill

Key Benefits The Government proposes bringing forward legislation in the 2008-09 session to reform apprenticeships. The Government has successfully revived apprenticeships in the last year from their near extinction in the 1980s. This has been achieved this largely without the need for legislation. However, the Government wants to go further so that even more young people and adults can benefit from the programme. In particular, introducing an entitlement to an apprenticeship for 16-18 year olds. Therefore it is now being considered what legislative powers we need to regulate or promote apprenticeships in the future. Background: A review of the apprenticeship programme is currently underway. It is considering the scope for reforms to the programme and the need for any legislative changes. The review is due for completion in January 2008. However, in general the Legislation would be expected to cover the leadership of the apprenticeship programme and the rights and responsibilities of those involved, apprentices, employers, training providers and statutory bodies. Specifically it is likely to cover all or part of the following: a statutory definition of apprenticeships including arrangements for determining content of apprenticeship frameworks a duty on the LSC to provide apprenticeship places a duty to facilitate entry to apprenticeship programmes through for example a national matching service a right to public funding for apprenticeship programmes a duty to promote apprenticeships on a range of public organisations for example RDAs, LSC a duty to promote quality in apprenticeship through for example strengthened inspection arrangements recognition of completed apprenticeship through for example license to practise arrangements duty on public bodies to offer apprenticeships amendment to minimum wage regulations on the current apprenticeship exemptions

Territorial Extent
United Kingdom

Additional Information

Since 1997 the number of apprentices has increased from 75,000 to 250,000 in 2007. Over 130,000 employers are offering apprenticeship places in over 180 different types of business from Construction to IT.

Quality is improving. Apprenticeship completion rates have improved from 24% in 2001/02 to 62% so far in 2006/07 and the trend is the improvement to continue. Over 100,000 complete their full apprenticeship programme each year, up from 40,000 in 2002/03.

The Government wants to go further, and make more apprenticeships available to both young people and adults.

By 2013, an entitlement will be introduced to an apprenticeship place for all school-leavers who meet the entry criteria. It will mean that every young person leaving school who wants to continue their learning in a work-based environment can do so.

By 2020 there is a commitment to delivering our share of 500,000 UK apprenticeships, 400,000 in England.

To deliver this stretching ambition for expansion, the Government needs to dramatically increase employer awareness and appreciation of the value of apprenticeships and significantly increase the number of employers engaged.

There is work ongoing with partners to broaden apprenticeship choice as part of the equality and diversity agenda and develop a new national strategy on equality and diversity in apprenticeships to improve participation and success levels for under-represented groups.