Scores of big-name apprenticeship levy payers are calling on the government to rename the controversial off-the-job training policy, warning that the “confusing” title is exacerbating high withdrawal rates.
The likes of McDonald’s, B&Q, Wagamama’s, Whitbread, Tesco and Bupa are backing a campaign launched by England’s largest apprenticeship provider, Lifetime Training, to change the terminology.
Writing to the Department for Education in a letter signed by more than 40 large employers and seen by FE Week, outgoing Lifetime Training chief executive Jon Graham said there were many misconceptions about what constitutes off-the-job training.
“We argue that this terminology is out-dated,” Graham wrote. “It relates to models of training which require apprentices to spend time away from the workplace, rather than the work-based approach.
