Latest skills reforms set to create 50,000 more apprenticeships

A further 50,000 young people are set to benefit from apprenticeships over the next three years following the government’s latest announcement on skills reforms.  

Meeting apprentices at F1 car manufacturer McLaren in Surrey, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was time to ‘change the way apprenticeships are viewed and to put them on an equal footing with university.’  

He said: “For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go to university. That narrow view has held back opportunity and created barriers we need to break.  

If you choose an apprenticeship, you should have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else. That’s why the Government is investing £1.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy - creating 50,000 more apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships for young people over the next three years. This is a defining cause for this government and a key step towards our ambition to get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.” 

In last month’s budget, the government pledged to invest £725 million in apprenticeships, with apprentice training free to those small and medium sized employers taking on eligible young people under 25.  

Also included in its funding package is £140 million for a pilot partnership with local leaders aimed at boosting work and skills opportunities for NEETs. (16- to 24-year-olds who are Not in Employment, Education or Training) 

These reforms, says the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will ‘tackle the sharp decline in apprenticeship starts among young people over the last decade – and shift the focus towards supporting them into high-quality training and employment.’ 

It says the changes will simplify and modernise apprenticeships, making them more efficient and responsive to employers’ needs. Shorter courses will become available from April 2026 to  improve flexibility and there will also be the launch of a new level 4 apprenticeship in AI.  

The government’s plans have been broadly welcomed by industry leaders across a range of sectors, including hospitality and retail where a new tranche of foundation apprenticeship will shortly be introduced.  

Commenting on the latest announcement, Robert Halfon, Executive Director at Make UK, said: 

“Manufacturers support the Government’s commitment to a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to boost investment in high-quality training. The development of foundation apprenticeships has been a positive step in ensuring that effective entry level routes into employment are there for young people. 

Industry is also keen to work with mayoral authorities to recruit more young people into engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships.” 

How Onefile can support 

As the leading learner management platform, Onefile welcomes any moves which improve access to quality apprentice training, boosting skills and employment opportunities  

Through our work with employers, providers and apprentices, we have an in-depth knowledge of what makes a good apprenticeship and how to provide support on every step of a learner’s journey. 

Following the latest reforms, we expect to see more employers taking on an apprentice for the first time, especially SMEs who won’t have to cover the cost of training when recruiting under 25s. 

As experts in our field, we can help these businesses navigate apprenticeship programmes right from recruitment and onboarding stage through to end point assessment, ensuring they satisfy all funding, reporting and compliance rules along the way. 

To learn more, talk to us today.