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Apprenticeships legislation passes to lay groundwork for Skills EnglandÂ
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill was passed on Monday 31 March.
This dissolves the existing Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), transferring its responsibilities directly to the Secretary of State for Education. This move is intended to streamline the governance of apprenticeships and technical education in England.
The Bill is one part of the wider skills reform agenda: its transfer of functions to the Secretary of State could influence the development and approval of apprenticeship standards and courses. The centralisation aims to create a more cohesive approach to skills planning, potentially allowing for better alignment with wider industry needs.
Discussions during its passage have highlighted potential shifts in funding priorities. Notably, there have been debates about reallocating funds from higher-level apprenticeships (such as Level 7) to entry-level qualifications. And while the Bill focuses on the transfer of IfATE’s functions, the creation of Skills England is intended to provide strategic oversight of skills development.
The specifics of how Skills England will operate, including decisions on funding non-apprenticeship courses, remain under discussion. Similarly, the Bill itself does not explicitly address modifications to the apprenticeship levy, and while the Bill sets the framework for structural changes in apprenticeship and technical education governance, the direct implications for the logistics sector will depend on subsequent policy decisions and the operationalisation of Skills England
Bethany Windsor, Head of Skills Policy at Logistics UK said: “While the new legislation marks a significant step toward reforming the skills and technical education landscape, Logistics UK urges the government to provide greater clarity on apprenticeship levy modifications to ensure it works effectively for our members.
"The Bill lays the foundation for Skills England, which seeks to tackle fragmentation in the skills system and is already operating in shadow form. We encourage Skills England to collaborate closely with our sector, working with sector bodies and their members to close skills gaps and build a more agile, responsive system that meets the economy’s evolving needs.”
Published On: 10/04/2025 14:18:09
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