He said: I want to recognise the importance of independent learning providers (ILPs) in the wider world of further education and skills.
ILPs are contributing to increasing the breadth of specialist study programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds, as well as adult learning programs.
The ILP sector has performed reasonably well at inspection, with around 80% of providers judged good or better. Of course, I fully appreciate that the AELP is not just about ILPs.
We saw a really good example of this in a recent inspection in the East Midlands.
There are still too many providers who don’t have reliable data collection, data sharing and joined-up working practices to ensure apprentices get full benefit from their training.
Some achievement rates are very low, on one apprenticeship standard as low as 16%. Too often, too many apprentices leave before the end of their training – why is this?
We are all aware of the pressures of the current economic climate, post-COVID, post-Brexit and with rising prices and inflation.
For instance, in a recent episode of our podcast – it’s called Ofsted Talks, please have a listen if you haven’t already! – we heard from an ILP CEO who believed the levy had given them great opportunities and was very valuable.
Ofqual is watching with interest. The introduction of Ofqual recognition for end point assessment organisations.
Of significant concern are the staffing difficulties that many of you are having, especially in English and maths.
It is right that policy makers consider whether the levy system is meeting the needs of apprentices, employers and the economy.
NI’s inspector of apprenticeships has said: There’s so much in this sector that’s valuable and we will continue to support your good work. Among them is a commitment to inspect all of you with a full rather than a short inspection by summer 2025.
I want to reassure you that we will continue to inspect through EIF – the education inspection framework – without fear or favour.
We know it’s helpful for you when we express our views and concerns to ministers, policy colleagues at the Department for Education, IfATE, ESFA and employers’ representative bodies.