Well, to Coin a Phrase, "they Would Say That, Wouldn't They" ...

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills launched a Consultation on funding reform for apprenticeships in England  today.It proposes using HMRC’s PAYE system to fund employers’ apprenticeship programmes.The consultation is published in response to Doug Richard’s independent ‘Review of Apprenticeships’, which looked at how apprenticeships in England can meet the needs of the changing economy. It addresses Doug Richard’s recommendations for reforming the way Apprenticeships are funded.  Richard said apprenticeships should be more firmly in the hands of employers and ensure that all apprenticeships are rigorous and responsive to employers’ needs.The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) said that such a system will come with as many potential downsides as it will with benefits."Over 70% of the Work Programme prime contractors are AELP members with many other members delivering the programme as sub-contractors.   AELP providers currently engage with almost 300,000 employers across the country and last year they helped 117,240 learners complete an apprenticeship."