Construction leaders have once again raised concerns over proposed changes to apprenticeships in England, warning that the government’s reforms could impact skills development, productivity and public safety.
“We believe the changes, as currently drafted, could reduce employer confidence in training routes, constrain SME participation, and jeopardise pathways to skilled employment,” the letter adds.
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“The ramifications could be seen across productivity, regional growth and public safety. We also have reservations on potential equality concerns for some learners who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
BACH has raised concerns that changes to apprenticeship assessments, which would include the use of sampling, risk lower quality assurance and creation of a “potential race to the bottom”.
“The reduced quality of apprenticeships, which we believe would be the result of these issues, will mean we have a regime which is second-rate in Europe and other parts of the world,” it added.
The use of ‘sampling’ within a competence-based assessment would move away from the current approach where apprentices need to demonstrate they can meet all knowledge, skills and behaviour criteria.
Under the new proposals each assessment organisation would be asked to select a smaller sample of criteria to assess and use that to infer the apprentices’ overall competence.
Industry coalition
The concerns raised by BACH echo a similar open letter published by a coalition of construction organisations in October last year.
The coalition, led by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), called for the government to halt the changes and actively engage with the construction industry to help improve competence across the workforce.
Speaking to CM People, Helen Hewitt, BWF’s CEO, said: “I welcome the publication of the BACH letter and applaud the sector once again coming together to highlight our shared concerns regarding the future of construction skills and apprenticeships.
“The British Woodworking Federation urges policymakers to work closely with industry to refine these proposals so that apprenticeships remain a trusted route to long-term careers in construction.”
Skills England has been approached for comment.
