Reforms to apprenticeships in England and Scotland announced
The Government has announced major changes to the apprenticeship system in England, while Scotland moves forward with legislative reform to simplify apprenticeship funding.
Changes to apprenticeships in England
The Government has set out plans to reform apprenticeships in England, aiming to increase the number of apprentices by up to 10,000 per year. These changes are designed to make apprenticeships shorter and more flexible while giving employers greater control over English and maths requirements.
A key element of the reform is allowing employers to decide whether adult learners need to complete a Level 2 English and maths qualification to pass their apprenticeship. This flexibility is expected to help more people complete apprenticeships in sectors with urgent skills shortages, such as healthcare, social care, and construction. The changes to English and maths requirements take immediate effect, while from August 2025, the minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced from 12 months to eight months.
The Government believes that these changes will widen access to apprenticeships, support economic growth, and help break down barriers to success based on background. Employers, including the Federation of Small Businesses, have welcomed the reforms, stating that they will speed up the process of filling skills gaps.
Reforms in Scotland
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has introduced the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, which will transfer responsibility for national training programmes and apprenticeships from Skills Development Scotland to the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC).
This will allow Scottish ministers to make grants available to the SFC specifically for apprenticeships and clarify how those funds can be used. If passed, this legislation is expected to improve efficiency in funding distribution and governance.
Conclusion
The apprenticeship reforms in England and Scotland signal significant changes to how vocational training is structured and funded. The English Government’s approach aims to boost apprenticeship numbers by making qualifications more accessible and responsive to employer needs, while Scotland’s legislative changes focus on streamlining funding and governance.