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News, Press Release

Published: February 17, 2025

The Scaffolding Association welcomes the UK Government’s recent announcement of apprenticeship reformsaimed at reducing bureaucracy and enhancing flexibility within the apprenticeship system. These changes are anticipated to create up to 10,000 additional apprenticeship opportunities annually, significantly benefiting sectors like construction and scaffolding.

Key Reforms Include:

• Revised English and Maths Requirements: Employers now have the discretion to determine whether apprentices aged over 19 need to achieve Level 2 English and Maths qualifications to complete their apprenticeship. This change allows apprentices to focus more on developing occupation-specific skills, thereby accelerating their readiness for the workforce.
• Shortened Minimum Apprenticeship Duration: The minimum length of an apprenticeship will be reduced from 12 months to 8 months, enabling a more rapid transition of qualified individuals into industries with pressing demands, such as scaffolding.

Implications for the Scaffolding Industry:

These reforms are poised to address the persistent skills shortage in the scaffolding industry by facilitating a more efficient training process and enabling employers to tailor apprenticeship programs to better meet industry needs.

In alignment with these government initiatives, the Scaffolding Association has partnered with City & Guilds to launch Skills Bootcamps. Introduced during National Scaffolding Week 2024, these bootcamps offer flexible training options, including CISRS Part 1, Part 2, and Advanced courses, to equip individuals with the necessary skills for a successful career in scaffolding.

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, stated:

“We commend the government’s proactive approach to reforming apprenticeships, which aligns with our ongoing efforts to upskill the workforce through initiatives like the Skills Bootcamps. These combined efforts will play a crucial role in bridging the skills gap and ensuring the scaffolding industry remains robust and competitive.”

The Scaffolding Association remains committed to supporting its members in navigating these reforms and maximising the benefits of available training programs.