Can apprenticeships be fast-tracked?
Posted: Wednesday, April 9th, 2025
Clive Holland questions whether the government's decision to reduce the minimum length of apprenticeships to eight months will benefit the construction industry or cause a significant problem. Skills Minister, RT Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, believes that the new announcement of shortening certain apprenticeship timelines by four months can add 10,000 new apprentices a year to the trades industry. She adds that employers can decide whether or not they think apprentices can get the skills they need in a shorter period. "Most apprenticeships will carry on with occupational standards and quality needed for a build." She notes that the government is increasing the number of people in the construction sector by shortening specific trades' apprenticeships. "We'll also be investing in colleges to help make links to employers so they can have instructors teach on campus who are working onsite." She adds that this is just one way the government plans to boost the overall number and quality of people entering the construction industry. Technical excellence colleges are another idea the government is funding. She explains: "Under this programme, colleges will work directly with employers so that not only do they have the people in the institute to help develop the necessary skills, but they can also create hubs where students work with and on the equipment and methods used on site." Listen to the full podcast here.
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