The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee announced an inquiry into the Government's Apprenticeships Programme on 21 December 2011, which looked at:
- How successful has the National Apprenticeship Service been since it was created in April 2009? Has it helped bridge the gap between the two funding Departments? (BIS and Department for Education)
- Is the extra funding promised by the Coalition Government necessary for apprenticeships? How can this funding best be spent?
- Are apprenticeships of a high enough quality to benefit apprentices and their employers? Should there be more Level 3 apprenticeships?
- Apprenticeship bonuses – how should they function? Will they encourage the involvement of more small and medium sized businesses to take on apprentices? If not what will?
- Is the current funding arrangement for training of apprentices of 100% for 16-18 year olds and 50% for 19-24 year olds appropriate?
During the course of the inquiry the Committee visited Sheffield and Northampton where they spoke to apprentices and took evidence. The Committee Reported in November 2012.