Britain’s fastest-growing industries are set to benefit from a major overhaul of the apprenticeship system, as the Government introduces new “fast-track” reforms

designed to get young people into skilled jobs quicker and help employers meet urgent workforce needs.

Under the changes, the time it takes to approve or update apprenticeship standards will be slashed from up to 18 months to as little as three months. The move is aimed at reducing bureaucracy and ensuring training keeps pace with rapidly evolving industries, from construction and advanced manufacturing to offshore wind and defence.

The reforms come ahead of National Apprenticeship Week and form part of wider Growth and Skills Levy changes, backed by £725 million in funding. Together, they are expected to support 50,000 additional apprenticeships and help deliver on the Government’s ambition to see two-thirds of young people progress into higher-level learning or apprenticeships.

Faster training for fast-moving industries

As safety rules, technology and working practices change, apprenticeship training has often struggled to keep up. The new accelerated system will allow existing standards to be updated quickly or short, targeted courses to be developed where skills gaps are most urgent.

This means employers working on major projects will be able to train staff faster, while young people gain a more direct route into secure, well-paid jobs linked to long-term growth.

The approach also aligns with plans to ensure companies bidding for major infrastructure contracts contribute to high-quality jobs, skills and apprenticeships in the communities where they operate.

Government: cutting red tape, boosting opportunity

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: 

“Britain’s future depends on getting more young people into good jobs with real prospects. These reforms will slash bureaucracy so we can train people faster in the industries where they’re needed most.

“At Cammell Laird, I’ve seen how apprenticeships are delivering the skilled workforce our country needs — from shipbuilding to advanced manufacturing. We’re building on that success with our additional £725 million Growth and Skills Levy investment to create 50,000 new apprenticeships. 

 ”We need to give more young people a faster route into secure, well-paid work by ensuring British businesses have the talent they need to grow.” 

Supporting major investment projects

The reforms will also support the new Major Investment and Infrastructure Service, helping deliver projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and new defence manufacturing facilities. A key aim is to ensure local people can access the jobs created by these investments.

Occupational experts will be brought in to make rapid updates to standards where required, including changes driven by new regulations — such as updates to construction training following the Grenfell Tower inquiry.

Industry backing

Cammell Laird, one of the UK’s largest shipbuilders, currently supports hundreds of apprentices across Merseyside and works closely with local colleges to train engineers, welders and project managers.

David McGinley, Chief Executive Officer of APCL Group said: 

“APCL Cammell Laird was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden to its facility ahead of National Apprenticeship Week. The Secretary of State’s visit provided APCL with the platform to demonstrate the importance of our award-winning apprenticeship programme to the UK’s industrial capability.

“Our Group is currently supporting over 270 young people in their training across the UK.  APCL Cammell Laird and the wider APCL Group’s shipbuilding and ship repair capability is underpinned by our apprenticeship programme which continues to deliver the next generations of shipbuilders and engineers.

“The ongoing success of our apprenticeship programme is vital if we are to ensure that the UK retains its shipbuilding strength. APCL remains deeply committed to this scheme.”

Skills for life

The fast-track reforms are part of a broader effort to make the apprenticeship system more agile and responsive to employers’ needs, while maintaining high quality standards. By focusing on priority sectors and cutting delays, the Government hopes to boost productivity, support national infrastructure and give young people skills that last a lifetime.

Employers and training providers are being encouraged to work with Skills England and the Department for Work and Pensions to help shape accelerated apprenticeships and make full use of the Growth and Skills Levy to invest in the workforce of the future.

Nigel Cann, CEO of Sizewell C, said:

“Apprentices are the lifeblood of a project like ours. We’ll be recruiting 1,500 over the course of construction, with 540 of those coming from our host county of Suffolk, and they’ll work across a huge range of roles here.

“Apprenticeships not only help deliver nationally significant projects like Sizewell C, they help meet the skills demand for our industries and offer a vital engine for social mobility in the UK, offering young people opportunities regardless of their background.

“Accelerating routes into apprenticeships means accelerating opportunity, social mobility, and growth here in the UK. So we absolutely welcome the measures announced today by the Work and Pensions Secretary.”

Tania Gandamihardja, Group HR Director at BAE Systems, said:

“We currently have a record 5,100 apprentices in learning and they are critical to our skills pipeline. They enable us to deliver programmes of national importance such as the Global Combat Air Programme, the UK’s next-generation SSN-AUKUS submarines and Type-26 frigates alongside disruptive technologies such as cyber, space and drone capabilities.
“This announcement will accelerate our ability to offer new and updated apprenticeships keeping our people at the forefront of cutting-edge defence technologies. Incorporating the most advanced innovations in apprenticeships will also help us attract the 1,100 apprentices we need to join our company this year. We will work closely with the UK Government to create the new apprenticeship standards to meet the skills needs of the defence sector.”

Becki Robertson, Vice President of Human Resources for Agratas, said:

“Battery manufacturing in the UK is advancing rapidly, and to deliver projects of great scale and ambition like ours, we need people with the right skills, at the right time. 
“This accelerated approach to apprenticeship and short course delivery will make a real difference to our business and the battery sector, providing agility and flexibility to respond to industry developments, and delivering the vital skills we need now and in the future. 
“It will help us maximise apprenticeship pathways for our evolving requirements, develop a talent pipeline and upskill our workforce, supporting us to deliver this critical project at pace.” 

Philippa Burt, HR Director for Hinkley Point C, said:

“We welcome these apprenticeships reforms as they will help boost opportunities for young people at the same time as delivering more effectively the skills needed by major infrastructure projects. 1,700 apprentices have already been trained at Hinkley Point C, helping overcome nationally significant skills gaps in key trades and high growth sectors.

We’ve seen the huge difference apprenticeships make to the lives of young people on our project, growing their careers and confidence. Accelerating access will see many more lives transformed and help build on the skills legacy large projects offer for future growth and industrial capacity.”

Julia Pyke, Clean Power Commissioner and Managing Director of Sizewell C said: 

“Slashing red tape so that more apprenticeships can be created in clean energy companies is great news for communities hosting the infrastructure, and for growing the skilled workforce the country needs for a just transition”