Policy meets SME
hindering take-up involves the scrapping in March 2024 of the Employer Support Fund, which provided financial support to employers for T-Level placement costs. Price of skills Ben Courts, Regional Membership Manager at Make UK, wanted to voice concerns over the recent 18% rise in the national minimum wage for apprentices: “Some of our members are now questioning any previous intentions to take on apprentices.” Jack Abbot hopes the new Growth and Skills Levy, which replaces the previous Apprenticeship Levy, will give learners and employers greater flexibility over their training, particularly as it includes shorter foundation apprenticeships. He also singled out an important change where apprenticeship entry requirements for Maths and English grades are now more flexible. This move could unlock a further 10,000 apprenticeships for those who did not attain their expected grades. A new strategy Adam Dalby, Managing Director at Brafe Engineering, made another pertinent point: “We talk about economic stagnation and the requirement for apprenticeships, but we need more confidence to invest in apprentices. We require a succinct, tied-up strategy from Government that instils industry confidence.”
Andy Heffer-Lamond
“We talk about economic stagnation and the requirement for apprenticeships, but we need more confidence to invest in apprentices.” Jack Abbot took the point and indicated the impending release of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Due for release in June 2025, the manufacturing sector will pin its hopes on an Industrial Strategy that delivers sufficient substance and clarity to nurture the confidence necessary for investment in both business growth and skills. Further discussions centred on logistics and supply chains, with policymakers and industry leaders exploring ways to collaborate across the sector. n
16 Machinery & Manufacturing
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