Championing Apprenticeships and Diversity
Last week, I travelled to London for an MP roundtable discussion with Andrew Pakes and the Association of Apprentices. It was a vital opportunity to bring apprentice voices directly to policymakers and discuss how we can improve the system to better support future generations.
A key focus of the discussion was the recent government reforms to apprenticeships, including:
• The removal of mandatory maths and English resits for some apprentices, which aims to make completing an apprenticeship more accessible.
• The reduction of the minimum apprenticeship length from 12 months to 6 months, raising concerns about whether this could impact training quality.
While these changes are designed to improve accessibility, they also bring challenges. It’s essential to ensure that apprenticeships remain a high-quality route into skilled careers. Shortening the length could risk diluting the learning experience, and while removing barriers like maths and English requirements is beneficial for some, we need to ensure that apprentices still receive the right level of education and support.
The Future of Apprenticeships
At the roundtable, I stressed the importance of mentorship, better career guidance in schools, and employer support. It’s not just about getting more people into apprenticeships—it’s about ensuring they have the right environment to develop, progress, and succeed.
This event reinforced why I’m so passionate about apprenticeships. There’s still a lot of work to do, but through collaboration with employers, educators, and policymakers, we can make apprenticeships a truly accessible and rewarding career path for everyone.
Author - Becky Ridler
Becky Ridler - My Visit to London for the MP Roundtable
Championing Apprenticeships and Diversity
Last week, I travelled to London for an MP roundtable discussion with Andrew Pakes and the Association of Apprentices. It was a vital opportunity to bring apprentice voices directly to policymakers and discuss how we can improve the system to better support future generations.
A key focus of the discussion was the recent government reforms to apprenticeships, including:
• The removal of mandatory maths and English resits for some apprentices, which aims to make completing an apprenticeship more accessible.
• The reduction of the minimum apprenticeship length from 12 months to 6 months, raising concerns about whether this could impact training quality.
While these changes are designed to improve accessibility, they also bring challenges. It’s essential to ensure that apprenticeships remain a high-quality route into skilled careers. Shortening the length could risk diluting the learning experience, and while removing barriers like maths and English requirements is beneficial for some, we need to ensure that apprentices still receive the right level of education and support.
The Future of Apprenticeships
At the roundtable, I stressed the importance of mentorship, better career guidance in schools, and employer support. It’s not just about getting more people into apprenticeships—it’s about ensuring they have the right environment to develop, progress, and succeed.
This event reinforced why I’m so passionate about apprenticeships. There’s still a lot of work to do, but through collaboration with employers, educators, and policymakers, we can make apprenticeships a truly accessible and rewarding career path for everyone.
Author - Becky Ridler
Becky Ridler - My Visit to London for the MP Roundtable
Championing Apprenticeships and Diversity
Last week, I travelled to London for an MP roundtable discussion with Andrew Pakes and the Association of Apprentices. It was a vital opportunity to bring apprentice voices directly to policymakers and discuss how we can improve the system to better support future generations.
A key focus of the discussion was the recent government reforms to apprenticeships, including:
• The removal of mandatory maths and English resits for some apprentices, which aims to make completing an apprenticeship more accessible.
• The reduction of the minimum apprenticeship length from 12 months to 6 months, raising concerns about whether this could impact training quality.
While these changes are designed to improve accessibility, they also bring challenges. It’s essential to ensure that apprenticeships remain a high-quality route into skilled careers. Shortening the length could risk diluting the learning experience, and while removing barriers like maths and English requirements is beneficial for some, we need to ensure that apprentices still receive the right level of education and support.
The Future of Apprenticeships
At the roundtable, I stressed the importance of mentorship, better career guidance in schools, and employer support. It’s not just about getting more people into apprenticeships—it’s about ensuring they have the right environment to develop, progress, and succeed.
This event reinforced why I’m so passionate about apprenticeships. There’s still a lot of work to do, but through collaboration with employers, educators, and policymakers, we can make apprenticeships a truly accessible and rewarding career path for everyone.
Author - Becky Ridler
