A manifesto for financial apprentices

The institute is the professional organisation for insurance and financial services and has more than 112,000 members.

Today it released its new manifesto on the future of apprenticeships in insurance and financial servicescalling for greater stability, clarity and a move away from a “one-size-fits-all” mind-set.

Daniel Pedley, public affairs manager at the CII, explained: “Too often the role of professional bodies in supporting employers with apprenticeships has been overlooked.

"Professional bodies like the CII have so much to offer in terms of experience of, and expertise in, developing standards and examinations that meet the needs of employers. Our close and long-term relationships with employers of all sizes ensure this.

“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.”

There were more than 1,000 starts in 2012 for apprenticeships containing CII qualifications.

The institute wants the apprenticeship system to be simplified and unnecessary employer costs removed, and a reduction in the complexity and bureaucracy that still exists, especially among SMEs.

The CII said standards and qualifications for apprenticeships to be created using the existing system of professional bodies working within the industry, rather than creating other processes or mechanisms. It also called for funding of apprenticeships to be based on need rather than expertise in accessing funding.