Provider access legislation (PAL) takes effect from January 2023

The new Provider Access Legislation (PAL) aims to develop and strengthen the existing legislation (the Baker Clause) from January 2023. It will apply to all schools and colleges in England.

Provider access legislation updated in January 2023

In January 2023, the updated provider access legislation (PAL) comes into effect. It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students:

• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend

The new legislation aims to help learners understand and apply for both apprenticeships and a broad range of technical education options including T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.

Are you promoting all pathways equally?

We all have our part to play in making sure that young people, parents and carers are supported to develop the knowledge and understanding of all available routes when choosing their next steps. Promoting all pathways helps students and learners to make informed and more confident decisions.

How Youth Employment UK can support you with connections to employers and training providers

We have a strong nationwide roster of Youth Friendly Employers and training providers dedicated to providing quality opportunities to young people. These employers and providers offer multiple pathways including apprenticeships and technical qualifications like T-Levels.

A great example is Haven. Haven are working closely with us to link to schools to support careers, employability and work experience. They have nearly 40 holiday parks across the country, have a fantastic ‘grow-to’ approach in developing their young people through apprenticeships, and provide fantastic employer encounters. Did you know? Many Haven leaders started out in junior positions in the organisation!

Talk to us about becoming a Young Professional Provider (it’s free) so that we can help you join the dots and create meaningful employer and provider encounters for your young people.

For teachers and education leaders

If you are an Education Leader, you can arrange to meet with your Careers Leader to ensure they have all the support they need.

You can also meet with your Enterprise Coordinator if required and your institution is in a Careers Hub. The Careers & Enterprise Company has further information about the statutory guidance related to careers.

For careers leaders

The Careers & Enterprise Company has a range of resources to help careers leaders understand why the updated PAL is important, so you can build on the fantastic work already being down in your place of learning. You’ll find information about delivering meaningful provider encounters, and also on how to upskill all staff to understand the different pathways. 

If your school is in a Hub, your Enterprise Coordinator will be able to help signpost you to the most relevant information.

For education and training providers

As a provider, you’ll want to understand how you can continue to deliver meaningful encounters with students. This provider guide will help you with planning meaningful encounters  as well as a technical pathways guide created with AELP for you to access.