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Here is our Network Meeting schedule for 2024:

February 20th, 10am – 1am

June 11th, 10am – 1am

October 8th, 10am – 1am

This meeting was our Safeguarding Group, Mike Driscoll shares it and you could put something like “providers sharing good practice during an ALPS/ALPHI Safeguarding sub-group for members only.” 

Please contact sue@alpsurrey if you would like to participate in future meetings.

During my time at George Abbot sixth form I took 4 A-Levels: Mathematics, Engineering, IT and Geography, whilst also doing lots of extra curricular activities. Throughout that time I had always thought University wasn’t for me and had started looking into apprenticeships, however didn’t fully understand how the process to get an apprenticeship worked or what the different levels were like. This was the case until I went to a session with Sue Taylor that George Abbot had set up for sixth form students, where I then understood all the different levels of apprenticeships and how and where to apply to them via the gov.uk website for apprenticeships. I have now since applied to 25+ higher and degree apprenticeships and got three offers to which I have accepted a degree apprenticeship in Digital and Technology solutions with Accenture. The main take away from applying to all these apprenticeships is that the whole application process takes longer than you think, which is why having a cover and CV that can be changed easily for each role can really help, and yes I intend to come back next year.

Apprentices and Teachers to have completed from September 2022 to August 2023. Spaces will be limited, with one guest per person. Bookings will open in May 2023.

‘Barriers to young people accessing intermediate and advanced apprenticeships: perspectives from apprenticeship providers’

We are delighted to share NFER’s new research report ‘Barriers to young people accessing intermediate and advanced apprenticeships: perspectives from apprenticeship providers’

This report is based on insights gained from a roundtable NFER hosted with groups who offer apprenticeship opportunities.

It highlights that increasing the affordability of apprenticeships could be a ‘game changer’ in increasing young people’s interest in apprenticeships.

Key findings:

• The ongoing decline in apprenticeship starts at intermediate and advanced levels for 16-19-year-olds since 2015/16 remains a significant concern.
• Providers reported that the most common barrier remains a lack of detailed awareness and in-depth understanding amongst young people, their parents/carers and teachers of apprenticeships and the long-term gains. This is preventing young people from even getting to the point of application. 
• At the point of application, providers perceived the most common barriers for young people to include: not being ’work ready’; not having GCSE English and maths at Grade 4+ (or the equivalent); low levels of psychological wellbeing, low confidence, lack of resilience, and anxiety; apprenticeships not being affordable; and some apprenticeships not being widely available. 

NFER recommends:

• To ensure that opportunities for increasing young people’s awareness and understanding of apprenticeships are capitalised upon, the Government should carefully monitor the implementation of the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 to ensure that the enhanced Baker Clause is being actioned.
• There is a need for employers to be proactively promoting the progression opportunities that apprenticeships bring, through the inclusion of the apprenticeship standards and levels that are desirable/meet entry requirements for all job roles, not just apprenticeships.
• Increasing the affordability of apprenticeships for young people is also essential. This includes addressing the level of the minimum apprenticeship wage, the more widespread introduction of discounted or free travel passes, incremental annual pay increases as an apprentice progresses, to a thorough evaluation of the potentially detrimental consequences of apprenticeships on Child Benefit.
• Consideration should be given to encouraging more employers, particularly SMEs, to take on young people who seem to be increasingly losing out to older, more mature applicants. This requires a review of existing incentives, with increased financial aid for employers supporting young people to achieve level 2 in English and maths, and who have other support needs.

Surrey Chambers, along with FSB and ALPS Alphi are holding an Employer Breakfast in Guildford on 10th February 2023 specifically focused on Apprenticeships

Email LSIP@surrey-chambers.co.uk to register

Network Manager, Sue Taylor along with Gary Hudson from I Choose Local met last week with Chancellor Of The Exchequer and Member of Parliament for Waverley, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP. Discussions included the potential for a Trainee’s bursary as a pre-apprenticeship programme and the value of Apprenticeships for school leavers at 16 as an alternative to full-time Further Education.

Click the link below to view/download the Slidedeck summarising Enterprise M3’s Local Skills Report and Action Plan

Click Here

Follow the link below to view/download the latest Higher & Degree Level Apprenticeship Vacancy Listings for 2022-23

Click Here

Following ALPS and Alphi joining forces, we are delighted to launch our new logo. This replaces the temporary ‘composite’ logo used over the past few weeks.

Please note that until online content has been fully updated and migrated across all platforms, the new artwork may not appear on some content for a few days.

We’re thrilled to announce that Surrey County Council is hosting the Surrey Skills Summit, and you’re invited.

The summit will take place on 10th November at Sandown Racecourse and has been designed to ensure that Surrey’s skills system continues to power the economic success of the county. The event will also launch the Surrey Skills Plan, providing attendees with the opportunity to explore key recommendations and actions together and focus on how the plan can benefit the local community and enhance Surrey’s skills system.

Register Here

After many years of working very closely with ALPHI, our sister network for Hampshire and The Isle of Wight, we are delighted to announce that ALPS is joining forces with ALPHI to form one network that will cover Surrey, HAmpshire and The Isle of Wight. All Hampshire/IOW members are now members of ALPS/ALPHI (as we will continue to call it for now). Our first joint network meeting since the joint nevture is on Tuesday 27th September at The Hogs Back Hotel, Nr Farnham. We look forward to welcoming our new Hampshire and IOW colleagues.

After two years of delay through Covid, on 16th September we were back at Guildford Cathedral for our sixth Graduation Ceremony – and for the third year we partnered with GLF Schools to recognise the achievements of their newly qualified teachers alongside those of Surrey’s apprentices.

Over 150 graduates celebrated their awards in front of proud families, friends, employers and training providers, and a number of guest speakers including employers and apprentices themselves shared their experiences and journeys with the packed ‘congregation’.

The weather held out for us and as usual, the cathedral was a magnificent setting for this event. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a huge success – and congratulations again to all the graduates!

Click Here to view and download more photos

Photography by Paul Wilson
p-wilson.com/photo

Along with the whole nation, we are deeply saddened by the news of the pasing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For over 70 years she selflessly carried out her duties in representing  the United Kingdom throughout the world and we join the whole country in sending our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family. ALPS & Alphi will, of course, follow government guidance as it emerges regarding the period of national mourning. We will remain on hand to support members with anything they need, so please do continue to get in touch.  The Department for Education has advised that schools and FE settings should remain open during the period of national mourning. Any requests for leave of absence should be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account individual circumstances. The Department will be contacting sector leaders with further advice once details of the funeral are confirmed by the Royal Household.   Guidance providing the public, businesses and institutions with advice on the period of national mourning will soon be issued by the Cabinet Office and available on GOV.UK.

The Department for Education has published the outcomes of:

The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Expressions of interest, confirming our area (EM3 + East Surrey) as designated from Monday 5 September:

Click Here

The Strategic Development Fund (SDF) funding awards, confirming the funding for our eight delivery partner colleges:

Click Here

The Apprenticeship & Skills Partnership offers free and impartial advice to organisations of any size and individuals regarding apprenticeship and skills training. The Apprenticeship & Skills Hubs cover Hampshire (including the Solent Region) and Surrey.

Click HERE for more information

The Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network (ADCN) champions apprenticeships and diversity amongst employers. It works to encourage more people from underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities, women and members of the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities to consider apprenticeships.

Lia Nici MP, has been appointed as Chair of the network, and is responsible for setting and shaping the network’s objective, working alongside the National Apprenticeship Service.

The report includes case studies of excellent practice in diversity and inclusion. Including real life examples of what businesses have done to achieve greater diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships.

To read the full report and see which employers are involved in the network, please click here

It was a pleasure to be invited to the Fedcap opening in Staines on Friday with the launch of the Restart programme for the area. The Restart Scheme is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs to help find jobs in the local area. Also, great to see Marcus Headington who is now the Operations Manager for the programme. Marcus will be attending the next ALPS meeting to explain the work which is already happening and the future work with Fedcap.

It was lovely to be invited to the opening of the Spelthorne Youth Hub on Friday evening hosted at Guy Salmon.  ALPS have been involved in the project with Spelthorne Borough Council and we have also been involved with the set up of “I Choose Local”, a new website giving information to businesses, young people and parents on how to find skills in the area.

The keynote speech was made by Kwarsi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and MP for Spelthorne.  The event was hosted by students who have already been supported by the hub in many different ways, including confidence building and job searches.

Sue attended the parliamentary reception on the 22/2/22 hosted by AELP and sponsored by Learning Curve Group, this research had involved ALPS members and I was pleased to be at the event with Jackie from Professional Training Solutions.

It was great to hear how Independent Training Providers (ITPs) contribute to the Skills System in delivering not only Apprenticeships but other fantastic programmes such as T Levels, Boot Camps and Study Programmes.  The research is a call for action for ministers to see the massive contribution ITPs make to the sector and they should not be seen as a fill-in where other provision is not available. There were speeches from Lord Aberdore, Martin Dunford (AELP), Steve Morris (Learning Curve Group) and Paul Warner (AELP) who shared the research in more detail.

The seven recommendations are:

• Skills policy should concentrate on facilitating what works and not which type of institution delivers it.
• Intervention measures must be reviewed and made equitable to avid disadvantaging learners that choose to study at each type of institution.
• ITPs are well paced to engage learners and supply skills training at Level 2 and below, and policy should aim to proactively harness these strengths.
• In policy design, less default reliance should be placed on traditional models of academic year classroom-based methodologies that limited the use of ITP strengths in engaging employers and enabling learners to reach their full potential.
• Prior prioritisation should be made more equitable between GCSE and academic routes to literacy and numeracy, and work-based learning.
• Government and its agencies must trust ITPs to continue to deliver high-quality and responsive provision.
• ITPs bring a wealth of experience, expertise and industry knowledge that are vital to formulating the proper response to skills need of employers and learners alike. Policymakers and those designing the implementation of such policies must make better use of the attributions.

Click Here to read the full report

Click here to view an update for parents, carers and guardians from The Skills Minister regarding Apprenticeships

ALPS works very closely with schools and colleges each week, delivering a range of Apprenticeship support activities under the ASK Programme. Last week we visited:

• Matthew Arnold School, Staines – Workshop for 22 year 11s who all registered on the Find an Apprenticeship website
• Reigate College Evening – Parent event for 520 year 12 parents
• St Peters School, Guildford – 30 year 12s and 13s attended an Apprenticeship Workshop and registered on the Find an Apprenticeship website.

Graduation 2022

Planning is well and truly underway for this year’s Apprenticeship Graduation on Friday 16th September.  An initial planning visit to Guildford Cathedral has taken place, the gowning and photography company has been booked and save the date/invitation designs are being developed.  It is likely that for 2022 we will have 400 attendees being able to graduate and they will be limited to one guest each.

Surrey Skills Leadership Forum

The Surrey Skills Leadership Forum (SSLF), is a strategic leadership body which sets the vision and supports the development of a demand-led, inclusive Surrey skills system. ALPS Network Manager, Sue Taylor is Chair of the Provider Group.

Click Here for the Forum’s Terms of Reference

ALPS out and about again!

It was so good to be back out with the Apprenticeship Hub on Friday at the major employer event held at Guildford’s prestigious Harbour Hotel.  The event was sponsored by the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, The Hub, Federation of Small Business and ALPS.  The event was attended by 100 delegate and there were interesting speakers from Nikki Morgan of the NHS and Angela Richardson, MP for Guildford.

The Hub reported that many employer leads were picked up and the team will be working through these to ensure that employers are matched to providers and the vacancies are filled as soon as possible.

This was the first event for ALPS in eighteen months, and lovely to see so many faces again – providers, employers, apprentices, partners and more!

Sue Taylor, Network Manager

Images by Paul Wilson Photography

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