Today AELP have doubled down again on urging the new The Labour Party government to honour their previous commitment to pause & review Level 3 qualification reform. We must also not lose sight of changes to important level 2 and below qualifications either that are set to be defunded

“An ambitious standardised devolution framework” - looks promising & another thing AELP has been calling for. As ever the devil will be in the detail though. Whilst devolution has its many benefits more thought is needed on deliverability & the post code lottery it has created

It is positive to see that skills policy is a priority for the incoming Labour Government. The Government now has a golden opportunity to refresh how the key mechanisms within the skills system work. Read our full response to today's Kings Speech here: buff.ly/3WrFw6I

Really looking forward to chairing this webinar. I’ll be joined by the Department for Education policy team to focus specifically on the topic of the new Growth and Skills Levy. Come along to find out the latest thinking and a chance to feed into the process AELP #SkillsMeansGrowth

Agree with the main point (“you can’t build without builders”), but the lack of knowledge of the current and potential role of independent trading providers - currently delivering 70% of apprenticeships and 90% of bootcamps - is really sad. And damaging for what comes next.

📣 There is still time to book your spot and join Simon Ashworth on Thursday's Member Exclusive Policy #AELPWebinar Book your spot here 👇 aelpwebinars.org.uk/Policy-July

We welcome the launch of Skills England today. Our challenge to government is to ensure Skills England puts employers and providers at the heart of decision making. This is a time to be ambitious. Read our full response here: aelp.org.uk/news/employers…

Great to see Lord Aberdare raise the need for ITPs to be represented within the new Skills England body.

Many thanks to Lord Aberdare for raising the need for ITPs to be represented within Skills England in the House of Lords. ITPs deliver the majority of work-based learning, including 2 in 3 apprenticeships - they are a critical piece of the skills landscape! AELP #SkillsEngland

Really looking forward to this session - open to non-AELP members too thanks to our patron partners Onefile - see booking link below #GrowthAndSkillsLevy #Apprenticeships #SkillsMeansGrowth #Flexibilities

Fab to see Darren Avery 💙 getting an opportunity to share with James Asser MP and Jacqui Smith what apprenticeships have helped London Ambulance Service achieve with their critically important workforce. Bit more flex on Skills Bootcamps could help fill even more technical roles too though

A reminder to complete our mini commission on-line survey by COB on Friday 09 August. Our dedicated webpage includes more information, including an audio recording and some slides from our recent briefing sessions, and the survey link👇 buff.ly/4bzboLc

Jonathan Brash MP … and independent training providers who deliver 40k 16-19 places each year too, often to the most disadvantaged and disengaged young people. Agree very positive news and the right decision. Look forward to more news on this coming tomorrow.

Please contribute to this evidence if you haven’t already

NEW DfE accounts suggest Government raised c£829m more from the apprenticeship levy than it spent on apprenticeships in 23-24. Levy raising more as nominal wages rise, DfE apprenticeship budget not raised in line, limiting numbers & funding rates. H/t Mark Corney

Please add our mini commission online survey to your ‘to do this’ this week, the deadline of COB on 9 August is fast approaching!⏲️ Our dedicated webpage includes an audio recording and some slides from our recent briefing sessions, and the survey link👇 buff.ly/4bzboLc

II love this

ICYMI: AELP warns Growth and Skills Levy ‘vacuum’ risks employers reducing training investment | FE News fenews.co.uk/skills/aelp-wa… #Levy #GrowthandSkillsLevy #ApprenticeshipLevy

"I'm angry and sad and shell shocked and our industry is totally done" Toby Dicker from the Salon Employers Association shakily explains how the budget will impact businesses like his #KayBurley SS

I wonder if instead of “profit” we said “breathing space” the chancellor would have made different decisions about leaning on employer NICs to get the tax she wants. Does Govt think “profit” = “extra fat pay for bosses”, rather than as “ability to plan for next year”?