Proposals will decimate funding for construction apprenticeship scheme

All previous principals of the College of FE have in their announcements said that the scheme was the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of course provision. It has been hailed as a most successful tool of education and training. Through the scheme, young people have been assured a genuine career structure. For Guernsey, we now have genuine home-grown craftsman as well as developing future leaders and managers in construction.

Additionally, during my time at the College of FE, I, with a great team, successfully developed university degrees in Construction Management and Architectural Technology with a UK university. Many past apprentices have been successful on the degree programme and are now leading figures in our industry. That’s how good the apprenticeship scheme has proved and still proves to be. This is to the clear and obvious benefit of the young tradesmen in question, the Guernsey construction industry and the island’s economy overall. It will be desperately sad for Guernsey if the Construction Industry Apprenticeship Scheme is reduced in any way.

Furthermore, my past attachment to the British Association of Construction Heads constantly identified Guernsey’s scheme as probably the best in the world for vision and sustainability through ‘thick and thin’ of any economic change. It is also worth mentioning that our apprenticeship scheme is envied by our very close neighbours, who are known to have quoted ‘our model’ when trying to address their skills shortages.

The proposals as they currently stand will decimate the funding available for the Construction Industry Apprenticeship Scheme and re-allocate those funds to other sectors. These include retail, dental nursing, veterinary care and a variety of other things. It may well be that a case can be made to extend the range of apprenticeships available in Guernsey. If this case can be made and there is a clear need for such things then additional funding should be provided.

The current plan is to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ by reducing funding to a tried and tested winner, then to re-allocate to other sectors – the demand for which and benefit from these funds is entirely unsubstantiated. This thinking is badly flawed.

The claim has been made that consultation has taken place. This certainly hasn’t been with the construction industry, or its industry representative bodies (the CIF, CIOB, GBTEA or Professional Associations). There has been almost no credible consultation whatsoever. The first we knew of the removal of funding was the bombshell which was dropped at the meeting of all employers on Monday 8 October 2018 at the Performing Arts Centre.

It should be further noted that we have had no direct communication with the College since the departure of Alma Harradine (former apprenticeship scheme manager), who retired a number of years ago. I note that Mrs Harradine has written to the Guernsey Press to express her concerns. (Open Lines, 16 October)

The very likely outcome is that cuts to funding of the grant paid to employers will result in fewer apprentices in the trades. We all depend entirely on our locally qualified tradesmen for housing, plumbing and heating, electrical work, carpentry, decor, blocklaying, bricklaying, plastering etc. A busy construction industry will probably have to import those skills in the future. This is because the good days when we trained our own young tradesmen to a very high standard will be behind us.

Since the 8 October meeting, I have spoken with numerous businesses involved in the scheme. We are all, without doubt, fearful of losing something that I came to Guernsey for. We are fearful of losing something which may have an adverse effect on the Guernsey economy, as a whole. I do not want to see a brilliant scheme thrown away, by poor decision-making by those who do not understand the importance of the apprenticeship scheme to the construction industry and the Guernsey economy.

The net result of cuts in the apprenticeship grant will mean a skills shortage in Guernsey. Firms may commence training their own staff ‘in-house’ avoiding nationally recognised qualifications of City and Guilds and BTec.

This whole ill-conceived plan needs to be revisited. A proper consultation process should be embarked upon, not simply the odd cursory meeting held so a box may be ticked.

It may well be that some economies and belt-tightening measures are required but not the complete removal of all support funding in one go.

To clarify, any future grant will be subject to a means test and may be available, at a lower level, for a much reduced period.

There is a grave danger of destroying or seriously damaging one of the most successful services that the College of FE provides to local youngsters and industry.

A dramatic rethink is required.

DENNIS RIDDELL

(former Construction Head, Guernsey College of Further Education),

c/o J. W. Rihoy & Son Ltd.

Editor’s footnote: A spokesperson from the Guernsey College of Further Education replies: The States Registered Apprenticeship Scheme has been in existence for 69 years and was once called the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ by Dr T. Melia following an HMI inspection of the college many years ago. This statement was made when comparing Guernsey with UK apprenticeships where many apprentices were not employed and did not benefit from the same on-the-job training or financial support. Working alongside employers, the college has trained and provided financial support to many of the businesses and professionals in our community today; something that it will continue to do.

The current apprenticeship offer is not solely a construction industry apprenticeship; at present, six pathways exist in the construction sector. Today’s apprenticeship offering supports 15 vocational pathways, 12 of which are delivered on-island at the college (carpentry and joinery, electrical installation, plumbing and heating, trowel trades and stonemasonry, painting and decorating, built environment, fabrication and welding, mechanical engineering, motor vehicle engineering, hospitality and catering, hairdressing and horticulture) with three off-island apprenticeships, where qualifications are not available on-island (electronics, panel-beating and paint spraying, and jewellery).

During a review undertaken over the last two years it has become apparent that other sectors would benefit from having apprenticeships as part of their drive to recruit and retain talented people in their businesses. As well as equipping the future workforce with the relevant education, training and skills to meet the changing economy, this meets the proposed changes to new technical level qualifications (T levels) and the requirement that these are delivered via apprenticeship pathways. The planned changes will allow apprenticeship provision to become more inclusive by providing on-island training in additional sectors, which will meet the economic and business needs of the Bailiwick. This will also future-proof apprenticeships as other sectors and qualification changes emerge.

These changes are demand led and will enable the college to continue to work with employers from all industry sectors to incrementally increase the qualifications delivered through apprenticeships, from professional qualifications at level 2 to higher education apprenticeships over the next five years. As part of the planned programme of change we will undergo an annual review process, reporting to the Committee for Education Sport & Culture, monitoring the impact of these developments. We will ensure that the changes are not detrimental to the economy and will prioritise developing a talented workforce across all sectors.

Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for businesses, not only in providing free training for employers, but also supporting the recruitment of employees. Working with all stakeholders, we are currently reviewing and revising our application process to improve the support available for potential apprentices and employers, allowing us to ensure that provision is resourced adequately. Businesses from all industries will struggle with the retention of staff, if adequate training is not provided, and we believe it is part of our job to work towards meeting this need where possible.

The financial elements of the apprenticeship model may benefit from further explanation:

1. There are no course fees for all education and training provided under the apprenticeship model; this is funded by the States of Guernsey.

2. There is a commitment from the Committee for Education Sport & Culture to continue to fund education through apprenticeships.

3. Under the new apprenticeship model, education and training will remain free.

4. Under the new apprenticeship model, English and maths education and training will be provided free of charge.

5. Planned apprenticeship growth in other vocational areas is funded by changes in the delivery of full-time curriculum and changes to new technical level qualifications (T levels).

6. Following feedback from employers at the #futureworkforce events, where appropriate, apprenticeship delivery has been condensed. In the sectors of carpentry and joinery, trowel trades and plumbing and heating, this change alone has created 20% increased employee productivity. Equivalent efficiencies have also been realised in other sectors where training durations have been reduced.

7. The current grant payment that exists for employers is a compensatory payment for the time that their apprentice spends in college. This payment ranges from £450-£540 per term and is sector and attendance dependent. In addition, employers receive free education and training for their apprentice.

8. The review was also informed by the recent OECD publication ‘Incentives for Apprenticeship’. This paper indicates that, as standard, most governments will contribute to apprenticeships by funding off-the-job training, as the benefits to individuals and society are clear.

9. The OECD publication highlighted the ‘need to be careful when offering financial incentives to employers as the risk of unintended effects, such as encouraging the engagement of employers who are more interested in subsidies than skills development’. The college acknowledges there is a need to assist some employers with financial support, appreciating that for some employers, financial assistance is essential in order to support the training and guidance they are providing their apprentice in the initial few years.

10. As far as we are aware, Guernsey remains the only apprenticeship provider in the world that pays a universal grant to employers who have an apprentice on the current scheme.

11. The application of a universal grant will not continue, financial support will still be available to employers, albeit via an application process. Employers will apply for financial support in a simple user-friendly way.

12. Changes to the grant have been developed by a Grants Working Group which is currently made up of employer representatives from many sectors, including the construction industry, staff from college and Commerce & Employment.

13. Workforce analysis has demonstrated that the productivity of an apprentice increases after two years when they start positively contributing to the profitability of the company.

14. The college wants to make sure that the grant application and allocation process is suitable and appropriate for all industries, including construction. The GBTEA have been made aware of this through a number of consultation meetings that have taken place over the past few weeks and have nominated another member to join the Grants Working Group.

The college has provided many opportunities for collaborative working with industry in relation to the apprenticeship transformation. Examples of this include direct email and telephone communication, in-depth interview, employer engagement events (as part of Skills Guernsey), sector specific #futureworkforce events, and more specifically the Apprenticeship Newsletter that is sent to all registered employers. This newsletter (sent in September 2017) included an open invitation to all employers to contribute to the grants review. Curriculum teams and the apprenticeship team communicate with employers on an ongoing basis in relation to curriculum and apprenticeship matters and hold dedicated meetings for the construction industry, working with representatives from the GBTEA and the Construction Industry Forum.

The college recognises the importance of apprenticeships and the critical role they play in providing an expert and skilled workforce which contributes to our community and economy. The college welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with all local industries to ensure that apprenticeship provision continues to meet the Bailiwicks needs.

The college are actively seeking additional representatives to join the Grants Working Group and if anyone would like to join then please contact apprenticeships@gcfe.net