John Denham, the skills secretary, suggested the level of bureaucracy could be putting small and medium-sized enterprises off taking on apprentices. The reforms are designed to increase the number of companies offering the scheme.
Employers tell us that if we are to meet our ambitious aims to expand the number of apprenticeships, we need to cut the red tape around the programme
John Denham
Skills secretary
He revealed unnecessary elements of the regulations, such as storing documents for six years, monthly reporting requirements and repeated inspection visits, will be abandoned as soon as possible.
Mr Denham commented: "Employers tell us that if we are to meet our ambitious aims to expand the number of apprenticeships, we need to cut the red tape around the programme.
Skills and employment in the UK
The changes will permit the use of electronic audit and storage instead of physical documents, Health and Safety requirements based on in-house procedures and a reduction in inspection and review visits
Members of the business community applauded the announcement, with David Potts, retail director of Tesco, acknowledging the importance of apprenticeship programmes and saying he is "very encouraged" by the reforms.
Last month, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced moves to streamline the adult skills system, by allowing local authorities to have more say in education.
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