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Apprenticeship & Employer Engagement

This section provides the latest updates on the apprenticeships and colleges' work with employers.

FE and skills must be reformed to meet the economic and social needs of the nation, says AoC

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a comprehensive training programme offered by further education colleges, independent providers, universities and institutes of technology in the UK. The programme consists of knowledge,skills and behaviour elements. Students spend the majority of time in the workplace, learning on the job, but are required to spend 20% of their time studying more theoretical work. It is the 20% off-the-job element that attracts funding.

Apprenticeships can take a minimum of a year (from 1 August 2025, the minimum duration is 8 months) and up to six years to complete, depending on the apprenticeship standard studied, and learners’ previous experience. Funding is mostly generated via a Growth and Skills Levy, which is paid by larger employers. Funding is distributed by the ESFA.

Apprenticeship & Employer Engagement

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