Covid-19 having dramatic impact on future of vocational learning, says new report
Covid-19 is having a dramatic impact on the future of vocational learning, according to a new report.
The latest In-Comm Training Barometer has revealed that 64 per cent of companies had failed to invest in new apprentices over the last 12 months.
The survey, which was launched today to mark the first day of National Apprenticeship Week, revealed a worrying picture of cuts to training budgets (51 per cent) and more than half of firms (53 per cent) shelving future plans to take on young workers as they adapt to the challenges presented by the virus.
Questioning 109 employers, the barometer did highlight some positives, including nearly nine-tenths of companies retaining their existing apprentices despite the crisis, whilst the Government’s furlough support has allowed 72 per cent of management teams to continue to offer training to staff.
Bosses at In-Comm Training, which has three academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, believe this underlines that there is still an appetite for learning on-the-job and that Government assistance can make a difference when it is directed in the right way.
“Something that has been spoken about a lot lately is the fact that a generation of school pupils could be left high and dry due to interruption with exams and the lack of opportunities out there,” said Bekki Phillips, chief operating officer of In-Comm Training, which delivers more than 750 apprentices every year.
“We can’t just write them off, that’s not fair and will be hugely detrimental to industry for decades to come, compounding the existing gap we have been trying to bridge.
“The appetite to invest in the future workforce is still there, but companies are under so much financial pressure from the pandemic that they have to make some tough decisions and it appears that this is already having an impact on the number of apprentices being recruited.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure they have access to their chosen career pathway, but we really need Government to take note of this and look at how it could explore more targeted short-term financial support to help bridge the rest of the pandemic.”
The In-Comm Training Barometer engaged with nearly 200 secondary school pupils to get their thoughts on future career aspirations.
The increasing popularity of apprenticeships was still evident, with nearly four-fifths saying they would consider vocational learning as a potential route to a job.
Learning whilst they’re earning is still overwhelmingly the biggest draw (58 per cent), whilst 19 per cent pointed to the benefits of on-the-job training and nine per cent the chance of gaining a degree.
The Training Barometer, which will be used to lobby Government and other influential trade bodies.
The company will also host a virtual open day on February 13.
