The UK government has announced reforms to apprenticeship rules, aiming to create up to 10,000 additional apprenticeships each year.
The changes, designed to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate economic growth, will provide greater flexibility for employers in determining English and maths requirements for adult apprentices (aged 19 and over). These adjustments are expected to benefit key industries such as construction, healthcare, and social care, where skilled workers are in high demand.
A key element of the reform is the removal of the mandatory Level 2 English and maths qualification (GCSE equivalent) for apprentices to pass, unless employers deem it necessary. This change will allow apprentices to focus on job-specific skills while continuing to earn a wage. The government has also reduced the minimum apprenticeship duration from 12 months to 8 months, aiming to fast-track workers into essential roles and support the country’s economic growth.
Announcing the reforms during National Apprenticeship Week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated: “Businesses have been calling out for change to the apprenticeship system and these reforms show that we are listening. Our new offer of shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality, helping achieve our number one mission to grow the economy.”
She also highlighted the role of Skills England in tackling workforce shortages across the country: “Skills England will be a major driver in addressing the skills gaps needed to support employers up and down the country and I look forward to working with the new leadership.”
Industry Support for Apprenticeship Changes
The reforms have been welcomed by industry leaders, who see them as a step towards closing the UK’s widening skills gap. Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group, emphasised the importance of apprenticeships in addressing industry needs, particularly in the growing field of artificial intelligence.
“The government’s investment in apprenticeships is vital to creating a high-skilled and productive UK workforce, plugging the growing skills gap,” she said. “With the rapid adoption of AI across industry, apprenticeships enable businesses to build a workforce tailored to their specific data and analytics needs, forming the backbone of AI talent through hands-on, industry-standard training. Successful apprenticeship schemes also rely on tapping into underrepresented talent pools who hold unique, transferable skill sets to tackle specific challenges.”
The first apprenticeships under the new shorter format will be launched as pilot schemes in green energy, healthcare, and film/TV production, testing how effectively the model can fast-track skilled workers into critical sectors.
Construction is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the changes, as the sector faces ongoing labour shortages. The government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament will require a steady pipeline of skilled workers. The relaxation of English and maths requirements and the shortened apprenticeship period are seen as crucial in meeting this demand.
The reduction in apprenticeship duration will take effect from August 2025, subject to legislation, while the flexibility on English and maths requirements is being implemented immediately.
