The government has announced measures to reform the apprenticeship system, aiming to increase flexibility, reduce bureaucracy and boost economic growth. The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, has said she anticipated that these changes will enable up to 10,000 additional apprenticeships per year.
Announcing the changes, the Education Secretary said:
“Growing the economy and opportunity for all are fundamental Missions of our Plan for Change, and we are determined to support apprentices throughout this National Apprenticeship Week and beyond.
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.
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.”
Key reforms include:
- Shortening the minimum duration of apprenticeships from 12 months to 8 months.
- Providing employers with flexibility to determine English and maths requirements for apprentices aged 19 and over.
- Appointing new leadership for Skills England to address skills gaps and provide strategic direction for the UK’s workforce development.
Flexible English and maths requirements
Employers can now decide whether adult apprentices (19+) need to complete Level 2 English and maths qualifications (equivalent to GCSE) as a requirement for passing their apprenticeship. This change is designed to:
- Unlock opportunities for learners in high-demand sectors such as construction, healthcare, and social care.
- Support social mobility by reducing barriers for disadvantaged groups.
- Focus on job-relevant skills rather than broader academic assessments.
However, those aged 16-18 will still need to pass level 2 English and maths in order to complete their apprenticeship.
Shorter apprenticeships
The minimum duration of apprenticeships will be reduced from 12 to 8 months. The government asserts that this change will allow employers to train workers more quickly while maintaining quality standards.
Skills England leadership
The government has also today announced the leadership of the new Skills England body:
- Phil Smith CBE has been appointed Chair of Skills England.
- Sir David Bell will serve as Vice Chair.
- Tessa Griffiths and Sarah Maclean will be the joint CEOs.
Next steps
- Immediate implementation of changes to English and maths requirements.
- Shorter apprenticeship durations will be introduced from August 2025 (subject to legislative timelines.)
Analysis:
NSAR welcomes many aspects of government reforms, which could deliver the greater flexibility to employers in the sector that NSAR has long advocated for. The mandatory 12-month duration requirement in apprenticeships has been a longstanding challenge in the rail sector, where attainment rates (especially at Level 2) have been disproportionately affected by rigid timelines.
However, the success of these will heavily depend on the operational implementation, most importantly whether rules and frameworks will be changed and also how funding will be adjusted.
The decision to remove English and maths requirements for adult apprentices, while again a positive acknowledgment of employer needs and a move that will reduce barriers, does raise some concerns. Primarily, as it risks undermining efforts to achieve parity of esteem between vocational and academic pathways, apprenticeships must remain robust qualifications that equip learners with essential skills; diluting foundational literacy and numeracy standards could weaken their credibility.
Our verdict overall is that while the reforms offer much-needed flexibility and a welcome responsiveness from the government to employers’ needs, the devil will be in the details of the implementation.
If you are an NSAR member and would be interested in further information on these changes, please get in touch with Edward Hughes: Edward.hughes@nsar.co.uk.