The government has launched a consultation to create new flexible apprenticeships, opening up even more careers to apprentices as we recover from the pandemic and create new jobs.
Sectors including the creative, agriculture and construction industries will soon be able to offer more flexible apprenticeship opportunities allowing apprentices to move between employers in industries where short-term contracts are the norm.
The consultation is seeking views on how new flexi-job apprenticeship schemes could be run. Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, so some sectors with flexible employment patterns and short-term roles, such as agriculture, construction and creative sectors including TV, film and theatre production, have found it challenging to create enough opportunities.
Announced by the Chancellor at Budget, the new flexi-job apprenticeship schemes would enable an apprentice to work across a range of projects and with different employers to gain the full skills and experience they need to complete their programme. This could include film, TV and theatre production, with one apprentice now being able to work on different productions during their apprenticeship.
In July employers will be invited to bid for a share of a £7 million fund to create and test new flexi-apprenticeships schemes, with the first approved flexi-job apprenticeships expected to start in January 2022.
The consultation builds on the reforms set out in the Skills for Jobs White Paper, which will put employers at the heart of plans to make sure people have the skills they need to get the jobs they want. This will be further supported through a new Skills Accelerator programme, which will help build stronger partnerships between local employer groups, such as Chambers of Commerce, colleges and other providers to make sure communities are getting the training needed to meet local skills gaps. Those interested will have access to a £65 million fund to develop and deliver plans in pilot areas in 2021-22.
Alongside the flexi-job apprenticeship consultation and new Skills Accelerator, work is ongoing with businesses of all sizes to support them to offer more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities, so employers and individuals can access the skills they need to succeed. To help with this, the government is already offering cash incentives for employers of £3,000 for each new apprentice they take on until the end of September.
Richard Fuller, member of the House of Commons Business Select Committee and MP for North East Beds said:
Everyone should be able to get the experience and knowledge they need to get the job they want, while making sure employers have the talented workforce they need.
That is why the government has launched a consultation on flexi-job apprenticeships, which will boost opportunities in sectors like the creative industries and agriculture where employment is often flexible or short term - creating even more chances for people to experience the life changing opportunity an apprenticeship can bring.
This will help create more opportunities for people across the country, giving them the hope, skills and experience to progress their career and drive our recovery from the pandemic.
To take part in the consultation, which closes on the 1 June, please visit this page.