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<p>In Defra group, we have taken the following steps towards the public sector apprenticeship
target.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has recently reactivated its ‘Early Talent’ Strategy
for 2020/21 and is intending to increase our activities around the following four
themes:</p><p> </p><p>a) Increasing the use of apprenticeships within external recruitment</p><p>b)
Promoting the use of apprenticeships to support development of existing staff</p><p>c)
Increasing and maximising the use of the levy</p><p>d) Using targeted apprenticeship
recruitment to improve the diversity of our workforce</p><p> </p><p>We have identified
a number of levers that can be used to achieve the above and these are actively being
discussed within the business, for example by: building an apprenticeship option into
all new external recruitment activity; identifying executive sponsors; establishing
a robust approach to learning and development; the creation of apprenticeship networks;
and seeking to convert other early talent pipelines such as internships into apprenticeships.</p><p>
</p><p>We continue to enhance the information and tools available to line managers
to improve understanding. For example, within recruitment processes we have introduced
the use of Interactive Candidate Packs, appropriate selection processes such as Success
Profiles, online advertising, case studies and trained selection panels.</p><p> </p><p>While
there are a number of standards that we can actively use, given the unique nature
and breadth of our activities in Defra group, we continue to explore and invest in
trailblazer activity.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has been focused on delivery against
EU exit requirements and more recently COVID-19. Defra remains committed to the Civil
Service Apprenticeship Strategy and is looking to increase our use of apprenticeships
across Defra group over the next 12 months.</p>
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