EngineeringUK responds to apprenticeship reforms

Functional skill requirements relaxed for adult apprentices over 19

To coincide with National Apprenticeships Week, the Government has today (Tuesday 11 February) announced that functional skills exit requirements will no longer apply for adult apprentices aged 19 and over. 

Functional skills exit requirements will no longer apply for adult apprentices aged 19 and over. This means that, with immediate effect, employers will be able to decide whether adult learners will need to have completed a level 2 maths or English qualification in order to pass their apprenticeship.

The Government has also shared further detail on its plans for shorter and foundation apprenticeships, which will be a minimum of 8 months in duration, down from 12 months currently. Three trailblazer apprenticeships in green energy, healthcare and film production will be launched prior to their full introduction in August 2025.

Head of Policy and Public Affairs, EngineeringUK, Beatrice Barleon said: "Apprenticeships are vital in our efforts to grow the engineering workforce needed to support the government's missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.

"Whilst we broadly welcome the Government’s efforts to open up apprenticeships to more and more diverse groups of people and to encourage employers offering more opportunities for adults to undertake apprenticeships, the Government must take steps to ensure that this change does not inadvertently disadvantage 16- to 18-year old potential apprentices, which it should monitor closely.

"As outlined in our Fit for the Future report, government  should  explore how English and maths assessment routes could be re-shaped for under-19s and move towards a new model of directly funding apprenticeships for young people between the ages of 16 and 18 to ensure that younger apprentices are considered an attractive option for employers. "