Changes to Rules on Apprenticeships Announced

TWO CHANGES to the rules on apprenticeships have been announced in the hope of attracting more apprentices.

Businesses will now be able to decide whether apprentices over the age of 19 will need to complete a Level 2 English and Maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in order to pass their apprenticeship.

Apprentices will still be assessed on core English and maths skills relevant to their occupation, but it means that apprentices will be able to dedicate more of their time to their paid work, the government says.

Craig Beaumont, Executive Director, Federation of Small Businesses said: “It’s encouraging to see Government shorten the length of apprenticeships, and give employers the right to decide whether Level 2 English and Maths is needed. These flexibilities should help SME employers fill skills gaps faster.”

Changes to Apprenticeships

The minimum length of an apprenticeship is also being reduced from 12 to 8 months.

The government estimates that around 10,000 more apprentices will be recruited each year as a result of the changes.

Changes to the minimum length of an apprenticeship are planned to be introduced from August 2025, with changes to English and maths requirements coming into effect immediately.

The government expects this to help  push towards its target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament.

Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson said: “Businesses have been calling out for change to the apprenticeship system. Our new offer of shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality.”

INDUSTRY COMMENT

David Crosthwaite, Chief Economist, Building Cost Information Service (BCIS), said: “On the surface, easing restrictions on apprenticeships and creating greater flexibility for businesses is a welcome step. However, we need to ask serious questions about how much of an impact this will have in the short-term. The headline figure of 10,000 more apprentices sounds impressive but in reality is not even enough to address the significant loss of skilled labour seen over the past five years.

“Further, while reducing the minimum apprenticeship duration from 12 months to 8 months might improve completion rates, it raises concerns about training quality. If it previously took a year to equip apprentices with the necessary skills, can this be effectively achieved in just eight months without compromising standards?

“If the government is serious about tackling the construction skills shortage, it needs to commit to a broader strategy, which cannot ignore the historic importance of overseas workers. Of course, the industry has to play its part in this too by making construction an attractive career with more direct employment in place of self-employment.”

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