A significant funding cut to the Welsh Government’s flagship apprentice programme will have dire consequences for patient and residential care, claims umbrella body for work-based learning providers the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW).
For its next 2024-25 financial year the Welsh Government plans to cut funding for apprenticeships by 24% after being unable to plug the gap from the loss of EU funding. As a result the NTFW said the number of apprenticeship new starts in 2024-25 will be halved to 10,000.
For the healthcare sector they have estimated a 69% reduction in apprenticeship opportunities. This they say is because most learners who start an apprenticeship in healthcare are over the age of 25 years with the Welsh Government seeking to prioritise support for younger learners.
The umbrella body is warning there could be no new apprenticeship opportunities for those aged 25 and above in 2024-25, with healthcare and public services facing the most severe consequences. Overall it estimates that health and social care will see the biggest reduction in opportunities, with more than 3,000 fewer apprentices in 2024-25.
Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director, said: “The NTFW urges the Welsh Government to reconsider the proposed cuts to apprenticeships and engage in a constructive dialogue to find a viable solution that supports both the healthcare sector and the wider economy of Wales.”
Healthcare and training providers across Wales are also calling for an urgent review of the decision. Innovate Trust, a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities to live independently within the community, has expressed its concerns.
A spokesman said: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, job vacancies have risen to an unprecedented level,” said a spokesman. “Qualification funding is crucial for us as a charity organisation to ensure that our employees are fully qualified and registered with Social Care Wales.
“Any cuts to funding would have a detrimental impact on our work. Innovate Trust heavily relies on support and funding to provide Health and Social Care qualifications to maintain the skills of its workforce.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Despite declining budgets, we are investing £138m next year in quality apprenticeships to help provide young people in Wales with successful futures.
“The apprenticeship scheme is not the only route for skills-based education and training available to help organisations fill vacancies. We continue to invest in programmes such as part-time further education courses, and our personal learning accounts programme and national vocational qualifications.
“We recognise that any budget reductions effecting the health and social care sector could be impactful, we are therefore working with stakeholders and providers across all of the sectors to consider mitigating actions.”
The Cardiff Bay administration said that Ƶ Government decisions, coupled with high inflation, means that its budget next year is now worth £1.3bn less compared with the figures originally set out by the Chancellor. It also said the loss of EU replacement funds also means that Wales is £375m worse off each year.
