Why is removing Maths and English from England’s apprenticeships so problematic?

New incoming UK governments usually have a honeymoon period, while they <ahem> assess the situation, and adjust to the machinations of power. But the unilateral decision to ditch Maths and English from many of England’s apprenticeships makes them appear slow-witted and nice-but-dim on how assessment works. Continual studies tell us that maths skills add to higher career earnings. But seven months in office and the policy is "Mark your own homework, and don't bother with English or Maths." Do politicians and policy folk not prepare for office any more?

Seven months in office, more in preparing for government, and the best we've got is 'Mark your own homework, and drop English and Maths.'

There'd be uproar if schools were just allowed to mark their own pupils' exams. Could you trust doctors who were just assessed by their under-staffed hospital? Or be happy if your relative could just walk onto a construction site, without any understanding of health and safety?

It’s telling that few employers have gone on record to praise the move. Beaten down by taxation rises, job creators know this policy-fumble kicks the skills can down the road. In 12 months, expect UK Captains of Industry to proclaim ‘Young people can’t add up, or understand written instructions.’ While some employers make a grab for apprenticeship funds and simultaneously cut jobs, they’ll soon be moaning that they ‘pick up the pieces’ of skills policy failure.

Retail apprentice - Credit: Canva

Some gilded senior commentators, rapturously applaud the blitzing of ‘tedious’ English and Maths qualifications, as long as we ‘get young people into work, pronto’. But those senior commentators are having a senior moment. They forget that when young people aspire to higher-paid, higher-skilled work, they've already pulled up the opportunity drawbridge. Too bad that role closer to home paying £5k more needs English and Maths qualifications. And no, the initial (AI) screening interview will ignore those without those qualifications. Those who patronise young people in this manner should check their privilege. And think about why those people are so disengaged with politics.

Too bad for aspiring second jobbers - that next role will need English and Maths qualifications. You won't get past the AI recruitment gatekeeper without them.

And sector cheerleaders marvel at quickened throughput of apprentices and shortened time-to-revenue. No doubt with a lovely bonus to follow. But they’re also part of the problem – enablers in corroding the apprenticeship brand – live for today, tomorrow is someone else’s problem. Not to speak of the hundreds of millions of pounds some of them helped to channel to university graduates and management for their ‘apprenticeships’.

Chasing spurious 'cut red tape' headlines and braying ‘Nothing to see here folks, your kids’ education and assessment is all fine’. demeans our sector, reduces assessment standards, and worsens the problem down the road. Yet the solutions are there in plain sight, and have been for years. The pandemic showed that. Learners can’t wait for ponderous, elephantine reviews. Their careers are being blighted today.

In a world where policy butterflies are quick to sneer at the use of established assessment tech, Maths and English learning and assessment solutions that are high quality, efficient, relevant, timely, robust, and meaningful are lined up ready. Yet here we are, still bemoaning our inept, clumsy, maladroit inability to deliver.

The slow-witted Nice-But-Dims bellowing 'Cut Red Tape', 'Nothing To See Here', 'Maths and English Don't Matter', are demeaning the assessment sector. They entrap apprentices, instead of providing dignity.

The government’s indifference and sluggishness towards assessment is now laid bare. Boneheaded headlines and policy on-the-hoof. Get rid of the requirements - and hope with faith that it’ll be Alright On The Night. But as someone much more vocal once said, hope and faith are not tactics and strategies. So, the assessment sector needs to step up – show-and-tell how solutions solve apprenticeship assessment issues; expedite onboarding and work-readiness; and give dignity to those starting on their work careers.