Future of apprenticeships in England: Richard Review next steps
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The 鈥業mplementation Plan鈥� responds to the consultation and sets out policy, process and timescales for reforming apprenticeships in England.
Our reforms will make sure that apprenticeships become more rigorous and more responsive to the needs of employers. We will improve the quality of apprenticeships through introducing:
- higher expectations on English and maths
- grading, eg pass, merit and distinction
- an increased emphasis on assessment at the end of an apprenticeship
鈥楾railblazers鈥� will lead the way in implementing these new apprenticeships. We have announced the first 8 trailblazers in the 鈥業mplementation Plan鈥�. The 鈥楪uidance for trailblazers - version 2鈥� (March 2014) sets out the next steps for this work.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The government has published this consultation in response to Doug Richard鈥檚 independent Review of Apprenticeships. It sets out our long term vision for apprenticeships, together with our proposals for achieving this.
The 鈥楻ichard Review of Apprenticeships鈥�, published in November 2012, looked at how apprenticeships in England can meet the needs of the changing economy. Our response accepts the Review鈥檚 assessment of the challenges and opportunities ahead. We endorse its recommendations for reform, in particular to
- place control of apprenticeships more firmly in the hands of employers
- ensure that all apprenticeships are rigorous and responsive to employers鈥� needs
The government鈥檚 response also launches a consultation on the practical steps needed to turn our vision into reality. We invite contributions from anyone who is interested in the future of apprenticeships by 22 May 2013.
We will carefully consider responses over the summer and will confirm our future approach and implementation plan in autumn 2013.