The Right Track Consultancy
On Day One, Kate Ridley-Pepper, Director of the Work-
Looking for decisions and leadership on the future of apprenticeships
Helen Russell Director The Right Track Consultancy
With Labour’s election manifesto pledging to reform the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth & Skills Levy, which would allow employers to spend their contributions on other training routes, many of those attending the annual Apprenticeship & Training Conference last month were eager to hear how these changes would be implemented. Formerly the Annual Apprenticeship Conference,
rebranded in 2025 as the Apprenticeship & Training Conference, the event serves as a vital gathering for professionals across the apprenticeship sector. Colleges, universities, training providers and employers come together for two days of plenary sessions, workshops and discussions on the future of skills and training. T is year, the conference moved to Liverpool’s M&S
Arena, after two successful years in Birmingham, and featured a range of high-profi le speakers, with particular anticipation surrounding government representatives given the recent change in administration.
Based Skills Directorate at the Department for Education (DfE), addressed delegates. T e headline guest for Day Two was Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, in a session that was expected to provide crucial updates on apprenticeship funding and policy. Unfortunately, the Minister’s last-minute decision not
to attend the event and her vague responses left many in the sector frustrated. Rather than attending in person, as previously advertised, Baroness Smith opted to deliver her speech via Zoom from Westminster, a decision that many interpreted as a lack of commitment to the sector.
Levy and funding uncertainty Baroness Smith off ered little clarity on the reform of the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy, stating that such reforms were ‘dependent on the money the DfE receives at the end of June’. She further announced that funding had to be diverted
and rebalanced towards young people, citing that apprenticeship starts for under-25s had declined by 40% since 2015. While investment in young talent is crucial, her comments raised concerns that existing apprenticeship routes, particularly Level 7 apprenticeships, would suff er as a result. The Department for Education’s apprenticeships
budget increased to £2.7bn in 2024-25, but the removal of Level 7 apprenticeships from the levy funding could free up about £240m.
ALL THINGS BUSINESS | 54
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