Readers of the BAGMA Bulletin will have read an uncompromising article in the latest issue written by David Kirschner, in which the words ‘incensed’, ‘outrage’ feature prominently.
Now acting as consultant on industry training and education matters, David will be known to many, following his career with Renault Tractors and Claas, as a courteous, conscientious and dedicated ‘under-the-radar’ champion of raising standards and awareness of our industry.
So what got David’s back up – or rather who?
It all started with the 2012 Richard report which he describes as ‘a breath of fresh air’. Putting the onus of developing apprentice qualifications in the hands of individual industries and employers. At last a common-sense approach.
Until that is, bureaucrats get involved. During the past five years, responsibility for implementation (and funding) has passed through three different departments – and the minister responsible has changed five times!
This has meant constant writing and rewriting of standards for an ever-shifting bureaucratic base which David has prepared on behalf of the Landbased Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC) the registered company owned by BAGMA, AEA and IAgrE.
Currently responsibility for administering apprenticeship standards lies with the newly formed Institute of Apprenticeships (IfA), who recently took the extraordinary decision not to sanction Level 2 apprenticeships, only Level 3. Their rationale defies logic, for Level 2 has long been an important stepping stone for employees and employers. In a survey of more than 220 dealers by LE-TEC, 98.6% said that Level 2 was an essential encouragement to recruitment – and indeed 60% of apprenticeships within the industry start with Level 2.
David says, “Incredibly, IfA said that Level 2 did not represent a credible career option”. So much for the industry knowing what suits it - in other words 98.6% must be wrong.
He took his case to the IfA employers chairman who was sympathetic but not able to act.
One reader of the BAGMA Bulletin, Richard Trevarthen, well-known for his work with the John Deere Apprenticeship scheme, also decided to also weigh in. He took a copy of David’s article to his local MP, Nicky Morgan accompanied by a few strong words. She almost immediately set up a meeting with the Minister of State for Apprentices (currently Ann Milton MP) who took it to the IfA.
What was said, by whom we will never know, but suffice to say that last week, David Kirschner, received a phone call from the IfA to say that they would now approve Level 2 Apprenticeships. Common sense it appears has prevailed.
This industry is indeed fortunate to have people like David Kirschner (and indeed Richard Trevarthen) who have given a lifetime of service to the industry - and who now in ‘retirement’ are able to give so much back. We are fortunate to have them in our ranks.
Read the full text of David Kirschner's article in the BAGMA Bulletin
