Training Today: How apprenticeships are providing a pipeline for new talent

Apprenticeships appear to be slowly but surely gaining ground. They may not quite be a panacea to the sector’s recruitment woes, but they do offer a means of strengthening the workforce from the ground up and ensuring that skills are practically fit for purpose.

Each apprenticeship level represents a vital piece of the workforce jigsaw. Level 2 is needed to attract those leaving school and hopefully keep those individuals in the sector to build the next generation of practitioners. Meanwhile, with so many experienced practitioners having retired or left early years, Level 3 offers a way to counter ‘the brain drain’ and ensure enough qualified staff to work within ratios. Moving up, the Level 5 apprenticeship is designed to create a pipeline of leadership, which is key to meeting the sector’s current challenges.

Amid the expanded childcare offer, the need to boost apprenticeships is a no-brainer. In March, the Prime Minister set out reforms to support businesses in delivering more apprenticeship places – and cut red tape.

Since 1 April, apprenticeships in small businesses are now fully funded by the Government for those up to the age of 21. Businesses that pay the apprenticeship levy are able to transfer up to 50 per cent of their unused levy to a different employer to fund apprenticeships at other companies (up from 25 per cent).

The move is underpinned by an additional £60 million of new funding for next year, bringing the total apprenticeship funding cap to £2.7 billion. Early years apprentices earn at least the minimum wage for apprentices, and many employers offer additional benefits; on top of this, they pay for training.

GAINING GROUND

According to Department for Education data, more than 75,000 people have started an apprenticeship in early years since 2020, increasing on average by over 1,000 starters every year.

While data for 2023/24 is not complete, compared to the same period in 2022/23, there has been a 2 per cent increase in starters collectively across the three standards, with more than 12,000 starters recorded in the year to date.

While additional Government funding for the Early Years Educator Level 3 was made available from 1 April, Level 2 funding has remained the same. Many believe this needs to be addressed in light of the need to bring in more young people.

This is borne out by take-up of Level 2 places (Gov.uk). In 2023, around two-thirds of childcare apprentices were employed on Level 2 apprenticeships, just under one-third on Level 3, and the remainder – approximately 3 per cent – on Level 5.

POLICY NEEDS TO TACKLE ‘FUNDAMENTALS’

Although the figures on take-up look promising, this belies the overall picture. When the number of apprentices not completing their training or leaving the sector shortly after completion is factored in, things may look less rosy.

It is no secret that poor pay and lack of job status are two of the biggest barriers to recruiting and retaining staff, and apprenticeship wages are low. As such, many are calling for the Government to exceed the cap in the DfE’s apprenticeship budget.

Paul Ferguson, operations director at Lifetime Training, says, ‘The decision to scrap the 5 per cent non-levy co-investment and increase the amount of funding that can be transferred is welcome, but far more must be done to alleviate the skills shortage in the sector.’

Ferguson recognises the value of apprenticeships that provide practical, real-life experience in working with children in childcare settings through structured training and a clear study plan. They also have the advantage of mentorship from experienced professionals.

‘With the extension to funded childcare places, apprenticeships provide a viable way for early years settings to embrace this new legislation at a time when 40,000 new staff could be needed,’ he adds.

‘While recent initiatives such as the Government’s Do Something Big recruitment campaign, providing a £1,000 “signing-on” tax-free payment, was also welcome, something more fundamental is needed to attract and retain staff. More support should also be given to providers to ensure they’re able to offer effective career pathways.’

SEEKING RECOGNITION

Dr. Tanya Richardson, senior lecturer in education (childhood, youth and families) at the University of Northampton, believes that a big barrier to the uptake of early years apprenticeships is a lack of professional recognition.

‘Apprenticeships are crucial for developing the workforce,’ she says. ‘In the financial climate we find ourselves, it is a great way for individuals to learn while working and apply the knowledge, on a daily basis, to their practice.

‘The Level 5 trailblazer group, that I was part of, spent a great deal of time ensuring the standards were written in a way that made them fit for purpose and assessed at the right level. I think they are pitched appropriately.

‘The Level 6 apprenticeship has been written and is with the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) for discussion. There has been much discussion over the last few years as to the future of this and we still wait to hear what that wider consultation results in.

‘When it comes to retaining your apprentices long-term, this is a multi-faceted issue. It is about pay and conditions –although I appreciate that this is a wider national issue and there is only so much nurseries themselves can do in this area. It is about opportunities for individuals to continue their learning journey, and enabling them to feel valued in a positive way.

‘It boils down to enthusiasm – demonstrated in the workplace, in making a difference in individuals’ lives, including children, parents and staff, and in day-to-day practice.’

Dr Richardson believes early years education needs to be given the professional recognition it deserves if there is to be an upsurge in the take-up of apprenticeships. ‘Our society needs to appreciate the difference early years makes to individuals’ lives and future life chances. If society gave credence to this important area, this would raise the profile of those that work in the sector, and working in early years would be seen as more attractive.’

ADDING VALUE

At learning and employment company Realise, head of sector Karen Derbyshire sees the apprenticeship route continuing to play a big part in the sector – especially when coupled with additional training.

‘Training providers of all sizes remain fully committed to apprenticeships and utilise them as a key tool to drive the career development of early years employees. By their sheer nature, the larger nursery groups drive sizeable numbers of new apprenticeship starts,’ she says.

‘However, apprenticeships remain extremely popular with small and medium-sized providers. At Realise, we have seen impressive annual growth in the number of new starts in recent years.

‘It’s clear that apprenticeships still play a vital role in the growth strategy of a nursery and – just as importantly – in attracting and retaining new recruits, and there’s no doubt that apprenticeships will remain a popular long-term training solution for the early years sector. The expanded childcare programme will fuel the need for new recruits – and those people will require training.’

Derbyshire believes that the introduction of new training programmes to supplement apprenticeships is a trend that will continue.

‘An example of this is Skills Bootcamps, which we launched for the first time at the start of this year,’ she says. ‘Delivered either face-to-face or online, the Skills Bootcamp offers courses of between three and 12 weeks in length, so that trainees can secure the skills they need to begin a career in the sector. Those completing the course will be guaranteed a job interview with a local nursery and, if successful, this allows the learner to accelerate to a Level 3 apprenticeship.’

‘For me, this is the future – apprenticeships remaining the key standard, but supplemented by additional forms of training.’

FURTHER INFORMATION

Childcare and early years provider survey, Reporting year 2023: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk

APPRENTICESHIPS

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships