Search
Close this search box.

Redrow HR director comments on apprenticeship levy

Karen Jones, HR Director at leading housebuilder Redrow, comments on the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.
Apprenticeships

Karen Jones, HR Director at leading housebuilder Redrow, comments on the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.

The Government’s recognition of the need to focus on grassroots recruitment through a number of avenues is to be applauded, and the introduction of the Levy will directly increase the number of businesses growing apprentice numbers across the UK. Technical skillsets, in particular in sectors such as construction, engineering and health and social care, are vital to the strength of UK PLC but are currently in short supply so this policy represents a significant step in the right direction.

“The impetus to increase take up however can’t be led by Government alone; now is the time for greater collaboration and industries with skills shortages should unite to better promote the benefits to young people of undertaking apprenticeships, and pursuing a career, in their respective areas. There is also work to be done in terms of schools and a coherent careers education policy. We surveyed 1,000 young people earlier this year, revealing that a third have never received information at school on apprenticeships.

“The Apprenticeship Levy should be viewed as one element of a holistic strategy and we need better collaboration on best practice within industry, as well as improved resourcing and information for schools to encourage children down a technical career path where appropriate. The introduction and future focus on T-levels is therefore welcome.

“Although the emphasis of the Government to date has been on apprenticeship starts, we must move to placing an equal emphasis on measuring and reporting on completions across all sectors and the quality of the training provided, as observed by the Commons Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy. We agree that only through measurement, particularly of attrition rates, can we inform future strategies effectively.”

Read more

Latest News

Read More

Rise in recruitment fraud must urgently be checked

28 March 2024

Newsletter

Receive the latest HR news and strategic content

Please note, as per the GDPR Legislation, we need to ensure you are ‘Opted In’ to receive updates from ‘theHRDIRECTOR’. We will NEVER sell, rent, share or give away your data to third parties. We only use it to send information about our products and updates within the HR space To see our Privacy Policy – click here

Latest HR Jobs

University of Cambridge – Judge Business SchoolSalary: £32,332 to £38,205 pa, pro rata

University of Cambridge – Judge Business SchoolSalary: £29,605 to £33,966 pa, pro rata

University of Oxford – Blavatnik School of GovernmentSalary: Grade 5: £28,759 – £33,966 per annum (with a discretionary range to £37,099)

Software Development Director (Exec Team Seat). Remote Working with Ellesmere Port Office-Based Minimum 1 Day Per Week. + Contribution towards membership fees. £120,000 – £140,000

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE