CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2023 43 TRAINING: 2 the occupations of Hire Controller, Construction Plant Operative, Construction Equipment Maintenance Mechanic and the forthcoming Construction Equipment Maintenance Technician, as well as proving technical input to the Lifting Technician apprenticeship. Once developed and launched, the employer would choose an approved training provider, who would assist the employer with the delivery and prepare the apprentice for the final assessment. Apprenticeship delivery guidance suggests that employers should work closely with the provider to ensure the right level and form of training that is relevant to their individual needs and not just accept an off-the-shelf product. What is becoming a challenge, however, for most of the plant-based apprenticeships is the level of work required by providers and employers to develop and deliver the training programmes against the allocated funding band for each apprenticeship - the maximum amount of funding provided by Government, with anecdotal feedback suggesting that it falls short of covering training and assessment activities. In saying that, registrations on the plant-based apprenticeships have been encouraging and retention rates appear to be above the national average. As an example, the Plant Operative apprenticeship which from an initial estimation of 100 starts per year, currently has 503 registrations since it was launched in early 2020. However, the overall achievement rate for 16-18 age range in all construction apprenticeships (not just plant) is lower than most of the other sectors. Although more reliant than ever on employer involvement, a number of recent reports on apprenticeship delivery and feedback to CPA by apprenticeship providers suggests that there are a number of delivery issues that need addressing. A joint report titled ‘Raising the Standard’ - jointly published by City & Guilds and AELP - has identified a number of factors around apprenticeship recruitment and achievement rates with the following affecting apprenticeship withdrawals and included: • English and Maths requirements; • Trainer retention and recruitment; • Employer engagement; • Challenges with the End Point Assessment (EPA); • Job or career change. The report cited a number of recommendations and included that: • Much more work needs to be done by Government and providers on raising the benefit and value of apprenticeship study; • The inclusion of apprenticeships should be the required qualification or indicator of skill level in occupational job descriptions; • Apprenticeships funding reflects the actual costs of delivery; • On development or review, that due regard is given to the programme duration as extended durations can be a barrier for young people to be motivated to complete them; • Initial assessments for apprenticeships should be more robustly conducted to ensure that learning programmes are appropriate for the apprentice’s objectives and aspirations; • The content of the specific apprenticeship programme and the responsibilities within it are very clearly explained to all parties on induction or interview; • Study towards (rather than attainment of) English and Maths qualifications should be the default condition of apprenticeship funding; • The end-point assessment (EPA) process must integrate industry qualifications more appropriately e.g. CSCS-based carding, etc; • Consideration should be given to the introduction of a financial bonus to the apprentice on successful completion of their apprenticeship by either the government or employers. The factors cited and potential solutions, however, are complex and as stated, will be covered in future articles but feedback from Members through the CPA Plant Operations Training Provision research report identified plant maintenance - both at mechanic and technician level - as the occupations that members had difficulties in getting training procured and delivered. In a bid to see what forms of support and intervention that could be provided, a meeting of the Colleges that provide plant maintenance training was held by CPA in late January 2023. Constructive discussions on the issues took place with the Colleges relaying what they faced, along with suggestions of potential solutions to the issues of delivery.