Reskilling: why the UK needs to reform vocational education
What can the UK learn from the German model of vocational education?
How can apprenticeships help organisations build a better future?
Will apprenticeships become an essential component to organisations’ reskilling strategy through economic recovery?
Cultivating a company culture fit for apprentices
Apprenticeships have been misunderstood – it’s time to rebrand them.
National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week highlights the importance of investing in employee training and development, even during challenging times. Rullion, a specialist recruitment firm, successfully used apprenticeship levy funds to upskill ten staff members, demonstrating how structured training strengthens both workforce capabilities and business resilience.
Apprenticeships: from a second-rate option to a prestigious choice
Why apprenticeships are more essential than ever before.
Webinar: Embracing a changing skills landscape
A recent webinar hosted by The Open University explores why skills investment is critical for post-pandemic recovery.
How Confused.com harnesses the power of employee-driven learning
Proof you can offer fun, personalised and inclusive L&D, even in challenging times.
Video: Harnessing the power of apprenticeships
Are you missing a trick with your apprenticeship programme?
Apprenticeships: how to find a quality provider
The quality of providers has declined, so how can you sort the wheat from the chaff?
HOW ARE BUSINESSES RESPONDING TO SKILLS GAPS?
Businesses are addressing skills gaps through training existing employees, hiring contractors, or recruiting new staff. However, 19% of IT decision-makers have no plan to address shortages, while over 40% of companies don’t offer formal training opportunities, risking talent loss and competitive disadvantage.
The Apprenticeship Levy: the answer to the UK’s diversity and skills crisis?
How apprenticeships can help organisations improve diversity and plug skills gaps.
Interview: Viren Patel (The Open University) on growing your own talent
Viren Patel, head of employer partnerships at The Open University, discusses why organizations should prioritize reskilling existing employees rather than hiring new talent. He emphasizes that growing internal talent through work-based learning and apprenticeships is more cost-effective and sustainable than recruiting at premium prices.
Post-Brexit Britain needs skilled workers
Post-Brexit Britain faces a productivity crisis that requires reassessing attitudes toward vocational education and apprenticeships. The UK’s skills deficits and low take-up of degree apprenticeships compared to university degrees hinder economic competitiveness against European counterparts.
A level playing field: why it’s time to rebrand vocational education
Vocational education pathways offer viable alternatives to traditional university routes, yet they remain undervalued in the UK due to outdated perceptions. With widening skills gaps particularly in STEM, rebranding technical education as equal to academic paths is essential for supporting young people and meeting employer needs.
Why apprenticeships are thriving alongside Brexit uncertainty
Apprenticeships are growing in popularity as a cost-effective alternative to university degrees, with 76% of Brits believing on-the-job training is more important for career growth. Employers increasingly prefer apprentices for their practical work experience and industry-specific skills, making them more work-ready than graduates in today’s uncertain business environment.
Skills training: why the distinction between soft and hard skills no longer matters
The traditional distinction between soft and hard skills is becoming less relevant as modern workplaces increasingly recognize that technical expertise requires strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. With continuous learning now integral to professional development, organizations are rethinking how to categorize and teach skills to better prepare employees for evolving job demands.
How to build a sustainable learning strategy
UK companies face a significant skills gap costing £6.3 billion annually, but the solution lies in investing in existing employees through lifelong learning rather than constantly hiring new staff. Building sustainable learning strategies enables organisations to develop agile, flexible workforces capable of adapting to rapid change and future-proofing their businesses.
Apprenticeship levy: changing perceptions could reap rewards
The apprenticeship levy, a 0.5% tax on UK employers with annual pay bills over £3 million, aims to fund apprenticeship training and address skills shortages. However, two out of five employers want significant changes to the scheme, with over £3 billion in funding remaining unused since its 2017 introduction.
How to prep your apprentice for EPA
Learn how to prepare apprentices for End Point Assessment (EPA), the final evaluation that concludes apprenticeship training. Discover the EPA process, requirements, and strategies employers and training providers can use to ensure apprentices successfully demonstrate their knowledge and skills for career qualification.
What do the changes to the Apprenticeship Levy really mean?
The Government has increased Apprenticeship Levy funding by £95 million, allowing employers to spend more on training supply chain workers and expanding available apprenticeship standards. The changes aim to boost skills development and give businesses greater flexibility in how they use apprenticeship funds.