RMI calls for apprenticeship funding review

(NAB & VBRA) is urging the government to review its recently released funding levels for the new trailblazer apprenticeships. Jason Moseley, RMI Bodyshops Director commented: “the new funding rates proposed fall concerningly short of those needed to deliver a robust and quality apprenticeship programme. The proposed rates do not cover the funding required for equipment, tools, products and teaching resource to deliver these programmes.

“The government is proposing to drop the current apprenticeship framework rates for a 16-18 year old in some vehicle body and repair programmes by up to 26 per cent. We are urging government to leave the existing rates for 16-18 framework apprenticeship programmes until the new ‘standard’ rates are agreed and implemented for 6 months.

“Motor vehicles are becoming increasingly technical and complex, and unless the government correctly funds the skills needed to repair them, there is a real risk of unsafe vehicles being returned to the road following a repair.”

“….We are however pleased to hear that the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, new Minister of State for the Department for Education is now going to review STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) funding levels, which will hopefully improve the levels needed for the body repair sector.”