NHBF member makes the case for apprenticeship reform

An NHBF member has given evidence to a high-powered commission examining the future shape and structure of apprenticeships.

Barbara McNaughton, of Elements salon in Oxted, Surrey, volunteered to present the industry’s view to think-tank Demos, which is investigating how the number and quality of apprenticeships in the UK can be improved.

It is due to submit a report to government later this year.

Barbara explained to Demos how the government’s insistence on requiring youngsters to have grade C or above in maths and English often acted as a barrier to them fulfilling their potential within the industry, either as stylists or when it came to striking out and starting up their own salon.

My fear is that, as apprenticeships change, with more of a focus on higher level apprenticeships and even ones equivalent to degrees, more vocational apprenticeships could become less valued. The divide is getting bigger,” she said.

The NHBF, in its own evidence to Demos, called for schools to put more emphasis on apprenticeships as a potential alternative to sixth form or college for talented youngsters.

“Teachers have themselves gone through the academic route, as university education is a pre-requisite for their profession. This makes it difficult for them to understand the vocational options, including apprenticeships – which they tend to regard as a ‘second-best’ route for those who can’t get into university,” it said.

The Federation also reiterated its call, made to the Low Pay Commission in September, for the apprentice minimum wage to apply to all apprentices, regardless of their age, not just, as at present, to trainees aged under 19 or in their first year of training.