The letter was signed by Alan Vallance, ICAEW CEO; Maggie McGhee, ACCA Executive Director; and Owen Mapley, CIPFA CEO.
The full text reads:
Dear Sir/Madam
All business leaders agree that skills are critical to the growth prospects of their businesses and the wider economy.
This is why the undersigned Professional Bodies have all raised concerns about Government plans to remove funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, to instead focus money on delivering training elsewhere.
Yet these Level 7 apprenticeships are exactly the kind of qualifications that businesses and public sector organisations need, and on which the UK's foreign direct investment depends.
We all agree that apprenticeship funding should not be for existing highly-skilled people, which is why restricting Level 7 funding to under-25s is an approach worth considering.
In solving one problem the Education Secretary is in danger of undermining her Government's wider objective for growth, as well as hitting jobs and the aspirations of ambitious young people.
The reputation of apprenticeships as a route to great careers and the professions must be protected and enhanced.
We urge the Government to think again on Level 7 funding.
Alan Vallance, CEO, ICAEW
Alan.Vallance@icaew.com
Maggie McGhee, Executive Director, ACCA
Maggie.McGhee@accaglobal.com
Owen Mapley, CEO, CIPFA
Owen.Mapley@cipfa.org
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