News and Information

14-19 Reforms

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) have developed resources to give an overview of the 14-19 reform programme and help providers prepare for changes to the 14-19 year old landscape.

The 14-19 Reforms and You toolkit is a resource pack containing a range of materials summarising the reforms, the reasons for introducing them and the main facts about each of the different elements (Diploma, Apprenticeships, etc). The materials are designed to be adapted to reflect local circumstances. There is one version of the toolkit for schools and one for colleges. Each toolkit contains:
 - a booklet with an overview of the reforms
 - a very brief summary leaflet
 - a set of postcards to help structure discussions on the changes
 - a powerpoint presentation about the 14-19 Reforms
 - a memory stick containing a range of video materials
 - a set of three posters 
 - a guide for using the resources

DCSF also continue to offer the opportunity for a school or college to book a 14-19 Briefing Session. A specialist team can come to your organisation to explain the reform programme to your staff face to face. For more information about the 14-19 reform programme, go to www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19

The documents below are available to download:

Colleges notebook

Schools notebook

11 - 18 Schools script

Colleges script 

Regional Apprenticeship Redeployment Support Programme
Learning and Skills Council redeployment programme is still available for employers and providers who have apprentices who are under notice of redundancy or have been made redundant. The RARSP programme provides support and funding support in order for learners to complete apprenticeship qualifications.

Apprenticeship Grants
National Apprenticeship Service, in collaboration with Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Association of Learning Providers (ALP) announce a new initiative to help more young people find Apprenticeship placements. The initiative releases funds for employers who can commit to provide new or additional apprentice places for 16 and 17 year olds.

Invest in an Apprentice
ScotAction has been extended to offer £1,000 to scottish businesses who take on new Apprentices. The new strand "Invest in an Apprentice" will be available to 4000 employers between January 2010 and March 2010.

The 14 - 19 Diploma

The 14-19 Diploma will create job ready and employable students. They will have not only an understanding of an industry sector but the opportunity to apply their learning through extended experience opportunities. Employability and functional skills will also be developed to ensure the student has the transferable skills required for work. They will enable young people, the future of an employer’s business, to make informed choices about what kind of work they want to do.

The diploma will run alongside GCSE’s and A levels and appeal to more practical students, however, they will not be in competition with current routes into the retail motor industry but will attract students who do not traditionally consider entering our sector. Students will learn about the sector and have an understanding of the business environment – this should increase the quality of candidates, increase retention and achievements rates in apprenticeship programmes.

The Institute of the Motor Industry were involved in the development of Diploma in Engineering, click here for a downloadable pdf.