Adult apprenticeships

The previous age cap of 25 for apprenticeship funding has been scrapped, meaning apprenticeship programmes are now accessible for people of all ages, with 30,000 additional adult apprenticeships, across the board, and additional funding available of £90 million over the next three years.

This latest move will greatly contribute to the Governments plans to tackle the current shortfall in skills in the UK. There is wide recognition that without serious changes and more innovative training schemes the country will continue to head for a growing skills shortage, bordering on a national crisis.

BEST welcomes this move and recognises the importance of both young and adult apprentices in the apprenticeship arena. Adult apprentices are often more 'work ready', demonstrating increased commitment to their career. Most have long-term career development plans; making them excellent assers to the companies they work for.

BEST already has adult apprenticeship programmes underway with funding streams for the 25+ age group available.