There is much to welcome in Doug Richard's independent report on the future of apprenticeships. The Richard review offers proposals for redefining and improving the quality of apprenticeships, and for focusing them more on the needs of employers. But will the proposals work, if adopted, and what will be the impact on adults? For this article, the journal staff asked opinion from some education experts. Contributors to this discussion include: Alison Fuller (Professor of Education and Work, University of Southampton), Lorna Unwin (Professor of Vocational Education, Institute of Education, University of London), Richard Hamer (Education Director and Head of Early Career Programmes, BAE Systems), Fred Grindrod (Apprenticeships Policy and Campaigns Officer, unionlearn), Ewart Keep (Deputy Director, ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge & Organisational Performance, Cardiff University), Judith Compton (Assistant Director, UKCES), David Hughes (Chief Executive of NIACE); Judith Norrington (Director for Policy, Research and Regulation, City & Guilds), David Way (Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service), Martyn Sloman (visiting professor at Kingston Business School and Principal Consultant to the Training Journal L&D2020 project), Sarah Sillars (Chief Executive of Semta, the Sector Skills Council for the advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors), Paul Eeles (Chief Executive of the Est Midlands Further Education Council); Lynn Gambin and Terence Hogarth (research fellows at the Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick), and James Clark (Secretary-General, British Industrial Truck Association). Alison Fuller and Lorna Unwin are hopeful that the current government will take the Richard review seriously because it provides a serious attempt to prioritise quality over quantity. Richard Hamer believes that it is important that people understand what apprenticeships are for, and Richard is right to argue that apprenticeships should be targeted at those who are new to a job that requires sustained and substantial training. Fred Grindrod says that the review has the potential to represent a significant development in the campaign to ensure apprenticeships are a high-quality career development experience. However, the recommendations set out by the review will only really change apprenticeships for the better if they are accompanied by clear action from government, employers and providers working with trade unions to stamp out abuse and exploitation of young people.