The UK government has announced a significant restructuring of apprenticeship funding in England, focusing resources on younger learners while eliminating funding for postgraduate apprenticeships. Starting January, only 16 to 21-year-olds will be eligible for government-funded level 7 apprenticeships (equivalent to a master’s degree).
This policy shift necessitates employers fully covering the cost of higher-level apprenticeships, a move previously criticized by the Conservatives as potentially detrimental to advanced training programs, particularly within the NHS.
Apprenticeships in England are work-based learning programs available to those aged 16 and older, ranging from one to five years in duration depending on the level of qualification. Levels range from GCSE equivalent (level 2) to bachelor’s (level 6) and master’s (level 7) degrees.
The government’s plan aims to create 120,000 additional training opportunities for young adults and those requiring retraining. Forty-five thousand of these positions will be funded by an increase in levies on employers recruiting non-UK nationals, supplementing existing adult employment programs.
The key change is the withdrawal of funding for level 7 apprenticeships, impacting various professions including accounting, tax advisory, and legal sectors, many of whose participants are already employed. This also significantly affects advanced NHS training, for example, for specialist district nurse qualifications.
Since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy for large employers in 2017, there’s been a surge in higher-level apprenticeships (levels 6 and 7), but a decline in entry-level (level 2) apprenticeships among young adults. This announcement redirects levy funds towards the under-21 demographic.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that this investment in youth skills will bolster the nation’s economic future, addressing the issue of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). However, critics like shadow education minister Neil O’Brien express concerns about potential damage to public services, particularly the NHS, and reduced professional access for university-bound youth.
Rachel Anderson of the North East Chamber of Commerce welcomes the funding but emphasizes the need for additional support for further education colleges to attract instructors (especially in sectors with skill shortages) and for employers to offer more apprenticeship placements. Seven new foundation apprenticeships at the GCSE level are also being introduced across key sectors to broaden entry points into vocational training.
Anecdotal evidence from apprentices like Chachomwe Chiwaya and Isabel Hunt highlights the positive impact of apprenticeships on skill development, confidence building, and career prospects. Both young women emphasize the valuable combination of on-the-job experience and formal training offered by their programs. They express enthusiasm for their future career paths, underscoring the potential benefits of such initiatives for young people.
Additional reporting by Rahib Khan.