In a move announced by the government today [11 February 2025], which is billing the change as “cutting red tape to boost economic growth”, it has also reduced the minimum duration of an apprenticeship to eight months, down from the current minimum of 12 months, from August 2025.

“Leading employers have been calling for these changes,” the government said in a statement. 

Businesses will now be able to decide whether adult learners over the age of 19 when they start their apprenticeship course will need to complete a level 2 English and maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in order to pass it, the government said. 

This means more learners can qualify in high demand sectors such as healthcare, social care and construction, helping to drive growth and meet government targets in key areas such as housebuilding.

“It does not mean that apprentices won’t be assessed on core English and maths skills relevant to their occupation, but it does mean that apprentices will be able to focus more on their paid work,” the government said.

Under the changes, 10,000 more apprentices per year will be able to complete their apprenticeship, the government said.

“Skills England will be a major driver in addressing the skills gaps needed to support employers up and down the country and I look forward to working with the new leadership,” said Bridget Phillipson, secretary of state for education.

Three trailblazer apprenticeships in key shortage occupations will look to pioneer the new shorter apprenticeship approach, with apprentices in green energy, healthcare and film/TV production set to be able to take on these new courses.

Changes to the minimum length of an apprenticeship will be introduced from August 2025 subject to the legislative timetable, with changes to English and maths requirements coming into effect immediately. “This will be hugely beneficial to employers in sectors like construction, which have an urgent need for qualified workers, helping to meet the government’s mission to build 1.5m homes by the end of this parliament,” the government said.

Phillipson has also announced that Phil Smith CBE will chair Skills England, the new nationwide body for skills, with Sir David Bell serving as vice chair. Tessa Griffiths and Sarah Maclean will jointly serve as CEO, while Gemma Marsh will serve as deputy CEO.

Smith is the former chair and CEO of international tech and telecoms giant Cisco. He brings extensive industry experience in digital, tech and innovation leadership and, the government said, “his appointment signals the seriousness of the government’s plan for growth, unlocked via a national vision for skills”.

Sir David is currently vice-chancellor and CEO of the University of Sunderland.

Skills England will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions of England. More than 700 stakeholders have already been engaged through roundtables, webinars and engagement events, the government said.

It will work with employers, national, regional and local government, providers and unions to identify skills shortages and provide strong strategic direction for the skills system.

One of Skills England’s first orders of business will be to identify which apprenticeships would be best served by the shorter duration approach. Skills England will prioritise key shortage occupations as per the industrial strategy, helping to boost growth under our Plan for Change.

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