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<p>These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth
is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in
July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed
in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the
industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council
has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.</p><p>
</p><p>A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing
leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly
on progress.</p><p> </p><p>The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the
professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships.
There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000
per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led
apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being
developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the
sector move towards the 2018 target.</p><p> </p><p>The latest published annual figures
show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations
across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic
year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as
a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more
diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported
the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships
in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to
Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people
from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in
professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or
over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed
enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic
backgrounds.</p><p> </p><p>The sector strategy also aims to help professional and
business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and
promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of
this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member
firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during
2014.</p><p> </p><p>The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling
programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector
strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated
in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop
specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered
a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool
International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.</p><p>
</p><p>The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views
on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional
standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing
consultation with the wider sector on these issues.</p><p> </p>
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