Apprenticeship reforms promise to simplify processes, reduce bureaucracy, and reflect the realities of modern work and learning. The education sector now has a unique opportunity to build something more accessible, more responsive, with a renewed focus on quality.
At City & Guilds, apprenticeships and quality have always been central to their mission. In September 2025, they marked an important milestone: over 100,000 apprenticeship end‑point assessments completed across industries including construction, engineering, digital, and health and social care. Behind those numbers are thousands of people unlocking career pathways, developing industry‑relevant expertise, and future‑proofing their skills in an ever‑changing world. This is apprenticeships at their best.
Rising confidence in apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have evolved far beyond their traditional image. Once seen as a vocational route for a handful of industries, they now range across multiple industries and are highly competitive. Colleges and training providers report growing appreciation among learners for the blend of practical experience and classroom learning. Employers, too, increasingly view apprenticeships as a vital solution to address skills shortages.
In the 2024/25 academic year, apprenticeship starts rose by 4.1% to 353,500, while participation increased to 761,480 learners. Higher-level apprenticeships are booming too: Level 6 and 7 starts jumped by 20.4%, now accounting for 17.1% of all starts. It shows clear confidence in the apprenticeship model across the board.
The reforms aim to build on this success by reducing bureaucracy and giving providers greater control over assessment. This means more flexibility for providers and a better learner experience.
Challenges and opportunities ahead
City & Guilds’ engagement with providers and employers highlights a strong sense of optimism about apprenticeship reforms, as long as quality remains central.
Employers welcome assessment approaches grounded in real‑world working environments to produce apprentices who are more “job‑ready” and better equipped for long‑term success.
Providers, meanwhile, appreciate the shift towards greater internal assessment. Many already have strong quality assurance, trained assessors and established digital processes, positioning them well for the transition. They point to benefits such as more control over scheduling, potential for reduced costs, and a calmer, more familiar assessment environment for learners.
While the sector is enthusiastic, there is recognition that the move to internal assessment may present challenges for smaller or less established awarding organisations (AOs). Adapting to the new requirements, particularly the need for robust quality assurance and digital capabilities, may stretch resources. Delivering consistent, high‑quality assessment at national level demands infrastructure, expertise and investment.
Why an expert skills partner matters
Awarding organisations have a central role to play in ensuring the success of the reforms. As occupational standards align across qualifications and apprenticeships, providers need partners who can help them navigate this shift.
As a leader in qualification and apprenticeship delivery, City & Guilds brings the scale and experience to help providers adapt with confidence, offering an integrated service that supports at every stage.
By working with a single awarding organisation across both qualifications and apprenticeships, providers can eliminate duplication, streamline delivery and benefit from a more joined‑up learner experience. As learners increasingly move between qualification‑based routes and apprenticeships, the value of an experienced AO that understands the full skills ecosystem becomes even more significant.
City & Guilds work with employers and providers to build programmes that are industry‑aligned and designed for long‑term success. Whether it’s future‑proofing skills, reducing administrative pressure or creating smoother learner journeys, they are committed to helping deliver pathways that truly change lives.
Embrace change with City & Guilds
The reforms represent a pivotal moment – a chance to shape an apprenticeship system that is better equipped to unlock career opportunities for learners of all ages. Providers and employers who embrace this shift, supported by partners with the expertise and capacity to guide them, will be at the forefront of delivering high‑quality, future‑focused apprenticeships.
City & Guilds is here to help you lead that change. Working together to build a system that not only meets today’s challenges but equips tomorrow’s workforce with the skills to thrive.
Find out more at cityandguilds.com/apprenticeship-reform
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