Government Response: The Apprenticeships (Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales) (Modification) Order 2023

Technical Scrutiny points_1 to 13:

The technical points are accepted. The Government intends to revoke this Order before it comes into force and make another Order addressing those points early in 2024.

Merit Scrutiny point 1:                                

New paragraph 16A recognises that the reasonableness of an adjustment will depend on an individual’s circumstances, and the criteria set out when it is likely to be reasonable to adjust the minimum communication or number skills of requirements.

Merit Scrutiny point 2:                                

The policy commitments referred to in the Explanatory Memorandum are those outlined in:

· ‘Aligning Apprenticeships to the needs of the Welsh economy’ (2017) (see https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-03/aligning-the-apprenticeship-model-to-the-needs-of-the-welsh-economy.pdf

which was the subject of a formal consultation in 2015 (see https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-publication-summary-report-responses-consultation-aligning-apprenticeship-model),  and

· ‘The Inclusive Apprenticeships: Disability Action Plan for Apprenticeship’ (2018), which was developed in consultation with specialist disability organisations following a report by the Economy and Infrastructure and Skills Committee (see https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-11/inclusive-apprenticeships-disability-action-plan-for-apprenticeships-2018-21-1.pdf).