Introduction of shorter apprenticeships
National Apprenticeship Week 2025This article sits within the National Apprenticeship Week 2025 sectionAnnouncement during National Apprenticeship Week 2025
In February 2025, the Government announced further details about shorter apprenticeships.
From August 2025, subject to the legislative timetable, the minimum duration of an apprenticeship will reduce to 8 months.
This change means apprentices will be able to achieve occupational competence more quickly, where that makes sense, for example because they have significant prior learning, or their industry works to a different rhythm.
Shorter apprenticeships will benefit:
- apprentices who have significant prior learning, where the 12-month rule means they are currently ineligible to upskill through an apprenticeship
- all apprentices on certain standards, where full competence can be delivered more quickly
We expect some of the first shorter apprenticeships to be available to:
- Level 2 Healthcare Support Workers (Health and Social Care)
- Level 3 Production Assistants- Screen and Audio (Creative and Design)
- Level 2 Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installers (Construction and the Built Environment)
We will continue to work with Employers and Skills England to identify where this new flexibility will create other opportunities and set out more details in due course.
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