Last week’s statistical first release from the DfE highlighted that 20,400 traineeship starts had been reported so far in 2016/17, compared to 23,900 at this time in 2015/16 , a decrease of 14.6 per cent. The DfE says that progression rates remain impressive, especially when 20% of trainees are apparently self-declared SEND/LLDD and yet the sector is still lacking a demand responsive funding system for the programme. Therefore AELP has made traineeships one of its priority items in its pre-Budget submission.
Meanwhile the ESFA has updated their information for employers considering offering traineeships to young people, including the benefits of traineeships for business.