The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has criticised the government's proposals for reform of apprenticeships and has published its own manifesto calling for a move away from "one-size-fits-all".
The CII said the government and original Richard Review's proposals were unsuitable and could "disrupt the momentum" for technical apprenticeships within the financial services sector.
The organisation called for greater stability, clarity and a move away from a "one-size-fits-all" mind-set with apprenticeships.
It published its manifesto Apprenticeships: A manifesto to help improve the system against the backdrop of the government's proposed reform.
CII public affairs manager Daniel Pedley said: "The CII believes that the Government's proposals, and those of the original Richard Review, do not provide the best platform for apprenticeship growth within insurance and financial services.
"The potential changes could disrupt the momentum we are currently seeing for technical apprenticeships and leave us with a system that employers within our sector have not asked for.
"We have yet to see a clamour from employers to create their own standards. SMEs in particular want clarity, simplicity and ease of access."
The CII's manifesto calls for six points of action:
- Standards and qualifications for apprenticeships to be created using the existing system of professional bodies working within the industry.
- Encouraging greater employer take-up of apprenticeships through a reduction in the complexity and bureaucracy that still exists.
- The apprenticeship system to be simplified and unnecessary costs removed for employers looking to hire an apprentice.
- Apprenticeships to provide the foundation for a professional career.
- Better information and guidance to help employers, schools, young people and parents understand that apprenticeships are not the poor relation to university study.
- Funding of apprenticeships based on need rather than expertise in accessing funding.
