More than 50 Labour MPs have urged skills minister Robert Halfon to reverse apprenticeships funding cuts exposed by FE Week.

£2.5 billion will be invested in apprenticeship training by 2020 under plans unveiled by the government. 

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is concerned that the government's proposed new apprenticeship levy will cut funding for construction apprenticeships by up to 30 per cent.

As part of a pilot employers and training providers will be able to test the service from start to finish to make sure it meets their needs.

This briefing paper reviews the government's new apprenticeship system for England – why reform was needed, how well the new system will work, concerns about its effects, and its implications for policy. It also recommends how the incoming regime could be better adapted to our 21st century economy, and reverse the 30-year decline in the youth labour market.

The future of the apprenticeship advisor post to the Prime Minister remains uncertain, as a spokesperson for Nadhim Zahawi has today told FE Week he is no longer in the role.

CCATF Annual Report 2015-16 is now available.

Following the announcement of the introduction of the new “Apprenticeship Levy” most employers have been eagerly awaiting the publication of the details of the new scheme. Now, the wait is over.   

The CCATF are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Martyn Price MBE as the new Chair of the CCATF Membership Group. Following an outstanding contribution from Mr. Geoff Lister CBE, since the CCATF’s creation in 2008, Martyn takes over responsibility for the management of the Task Force at a time of some considerable levels of activity in the sector.