Government slashes red tape to unlock 10,000 more apprenticeships
12 February 2025
The UK government is cutting bureaucracy to accelerate economic growth, enabling up to 10,000 more apprentices to qualify each year.
The Education Secretary announced new reforms during National Apprenticeship Week, which will ensure employers flexibility over English and math requirements for adult apprentices, removing barriers in high-demand industries like construction, healthcare, and social care.
Rules slowing down worker training will be scrapped, and employers will now decide whether apprentices need a Level 2 English and math qualification to pass, ensuring apprentices focus on paid work while still being assessed on job-relevant skills. The minimum apprenticeship duration will be reduced from 12-8 months, starting from August 2025. These changes will help businesses break down barriers to success, particularly in housebuilding and infrastructure to further support the government’s ambition of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament.
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