Public procurement holds back apprenticeships, industry warns

Short-sighted public procurement rules are preventing apprentices from completing their training, the industry warned government at last week’s Construction Apprenticeships Summit.

The round-table event, organised by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills as part of a government review of apprenticeships in England, was chaired by John Hayes, minister for further education, and attended by trade associations, sector skills councils and representatives from contractors including Carillion and Kier.

Attendees expressed concern that local authority procurement rules are preventing apprentices from completing their two years’ training, said Simon Nathan, head of policy at the UK Contractors Group: “Authorities often require that apprentices are recruited from within the local postcode, but the short nature of many projects means apprentices are left looking for a new placement after a few months …If all authorities want apprentices from their postcode it makes it very difficult for an apprentice to complete their training. The UKCG believes authorities should be less prescriptive, and contractors should be able to move apprentices between projects in different areas without this barrier.”

Discussion also focused on the current economic climate and how training can survive when economic pressures are forcing down prices and the government is pushing for greater efficiency.

The huge range of funding initiatives available for apprenticeships also came under fire, said Nathan: “You have a situation where companies are willing to help but find it difficult to navigate

through the many different options. Hayes asked the group: is there is any way we can bring these funding streams together into a smaller number of amalgamated funding pots?”

Hayes also asked attendees at the summit to consider possible solutions to the issues raised and submit written responses for consideration.