“Spending on high-level apprenticeships – equivalent to master’s degrees – has doubled in five years, while we risk entry-level routes being left behind. It is time to rebalance the system. Young people need real pathways into vital sectors such as health, social care, and construction, areas crying out for skilled workers. The status quo is not working. The government must act quickly and decisively on its manifesto pledge to deliver a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy. We need a system that creates a pipeline of opportunity for young people while ensuring employers and economic needs are at the heart of apprenticeship and skills funding.”

REC has long voiced concerns that levy funds are only available to those who have the same employer for at least one year, which is the time it takes to complete an apprenticeship. This is a waste when there are a million temporary workers on assignment in the UK every day. The REC sees an urgent need for the new government’s promised reform to allow levy funding for high-quality, modular training to enable more people, including temporary workers, to train and fill vacancies.