Members gathered at Aspire Sussex in Burgess Hill on Wednesday to look at the key issues and opportunities for providers. With a fairly even split between apprenticeship and adult education providers the main subjects covered were: subcontracting in both areas of delivery, apprenticeship off-the-job training 20% rule; employer behaviour in response to levy introduction; employer skills development beyond apprenticeships; local of apprenticeship standards and poor funding for frameworks; social mobility and the importance of access to a ladder of opportunity; uncertainty created by review of apprenticeship funding bands; current ESF calls; the need to know more about the supply and demand for skills at Gatwick Airport.
The next meeting will be on the 3rd October, venue and timings to be confirmed.