New research from the ILM, a UK specialist provider of leadership qualifications, has revealed that 59% of the UK’s HR professionals are not aware of new standards that enable apprenticeships to address the critical needs of their business.

 The research also revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of employees lack trustworthy or inspirational leaders, and just a third (31%) of employers feel confident in their current supply of leadership talent. Yet many organisations do not realise the potential for next-generation apprenticeships to address this skills gap; the research shows that a quarter of senior leaders (25%) would not value leadership and management apprenticeships.

However, the upcoming changes relax prior achievement rules, meaning that existing managers, directors and senior officials, as well as new recruits, can now receive senior leadership development funded via the apprenticeship levy. 

 “The levy provides the ideal opportunity for employers to start re-assessing their approach to learning and development overall, and to look again at the potential for apprenticeships to provide the talent they urgently need,” John Yates, group director at ILM, said. “Now that funding can be used to develop managers at all levels, whether they are existing employees or new recruits, it is the ideal way to invest in equipping current and future leaders with the skills that are so crucial for business success.”