The new Institute for Apprenticeships will start its first official working day today (3 April 2017).

Independent from Government, the Institute, which is to be chaired by Antony Jenkins, has been launched to ensure that all apprenticeships are top quality and deliver the skills that employers need. It will further support the government’s commitment to deliver 3 million quality apprenticeships by 2020.

To ensure employers are at the heart of every decision, the Institute has appointed leading figures in the business world to sit on its board. This will ensure that employers needs are being met and they have the opportunity to review and challenge apprenticeship standards and how apprenticeships are assessed.

The Institute launches ahead of the apprenticeship levy coming into force on Thursday (6 April 2017).  Latest figures show that there is currently the highest numbers of apprenticeships on record with 900,000 apprentices last year alone. 90% of apprentices get employment or progress to additional education.

The Government has also published a ‘strategic guidance’ document which will outline the policy parameters within which the Institute should operate and exercise its functions. In addition the Government has published an ‘Accountability statement‘ for all the organisations responsible for the policy.