The Government’s skills reforms aims to get Britain working, with landmark reforms that refocus the skills landscape towards young, domestic talent.
But the changes to apprenticeships in construction careers have received a mixed response from the industry.
RIBA’s President, Muyiwa Oki, respondedto DfE’s reforms that funding Level 7 (masters level) apprenticeships will cease from January 2026 for all but those aged 16 to 21, or who are on existing apprenticeship schemes. The levy funding for Level 7 will instead be diverted to lower level apprenticeships.
He said: “While we welcome the emphasis on wider skills development, the decision to refocus funding away from Level 7 apprenticeships is a misguided and backwards step that will reduce access to a flexible, accessible, and inclusive route into the architecture profession.
“This arbitrary age cut off will negatively impact the number of architecture apprentices, at both Level 7 and likely Level 6, and will ultimately have the opposite effect of the government’s intention to get more young people into apprenticeships.
“We’ve worked closely with the government and parliamentarians to promote the value of Level 7 architecture apprenticeships, but our work is not over; we continue to advocate for architecture apprenticeships and the value they bring to the profession and society.”
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has voiced deep concern following the Government’s decision to restrict funding for Level 7 (L7) Chartered Town Planner apprenticeships to individuals aged 16 – 21.
The Institute warns that the decision will put the future pipeline of planners – crucial to meeting the Government’s economic growth agenda and housing delivery targets – at serious risk.
This announcement comes despite a recent surge in participation and success in the apprenticeship programme. In April, the RTPI reported a record number of candidates reaching the final stage of the Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship.
The number of apprentices reaching the End-Point Assessment in Q1 2025 rose by 66% compared to the same period in 2024. Currently, more than 800 apprentices are on programme, and 189 have successfully achieved Chartered Town Planner status through this route.
However, the RTPI highlights that many university partners report that 100% of their Chartered Town Planner L7 apprentices since 2019 have been over the age of 21 upon entry. The change in funding eligibility, therefore, threatens to undermine a well-established and increasingly popular route into the profession.
Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “This apprenticeship was developed to provide an alternative route for people to gain entry into the profession, and has provided employers with a pipeline of talent into what we know is an under-resourced profession. We are extremely disappointed with this decision, which will be counterproductive to the Government’s growth strategy.
“The RTPI and its members made robust representations to the Government to maintain what has been a successful route into the profession. Given the severe resourcing issues currently being experienced by local authority planning departments, no legislative proposals will achieve the Government’s growth ambition without a resolution to capacity constraints.
“We have therefore proposed a comprehensive three-point resourcing plan to be published alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. This includes a transparent whole-system audit, a holistic approach to skills development across the country, and funding to facilitate a capacity-building programme.”
The Institute will work with the Government to explore alternative ways to encourage entrants into the profession who exceed the new age limit.
But Roger Morton, Director of Business Change at the National House Building Council (NHBC) welcomed the renewed focus on apprenticeships, foundation training and investment in domestic talent.
He said the announcement signals a major and welcome shift in how we train the next generation of skilled workers, particularly in house building, one of the UK’s most critical industries.
“With 120,000 new training opportunities and a £3 billion apprenticeship budget, the Government is rightly focusing on providing young people with access to high-quality, hands-on routes into skilled work,” he added. “As the UK’s largest warranty and insurance provider, quality is at the heart of everything we do and we’re pleased to see this reflected in the Government’s plan.
“Our £100 million investment in 12 new multi-skill apprenticeship training hubs across the UK over the next five years will shake-up and help to tackle the house building skills shortage head-on. At capacity, the NHBC Training Hubs will initially train 3,000 learners a year in the most essential and critically required trades, including bricklaying, carpentry and groundwork. The multi-skill training hubs prepare trainees to be site-ready from day one, trained to the highest industry standard and so ensuring new homes are built to the highest quality.
“In addition to apprenticeships, the NHBC Multi-Skill Training Hubs will deliver construction skills bootcamps, providing flexible, fast-track and immersive training for people looking to enter or progress within the house-building industry. This blended approach ensures we can support a wide range of learners and employers with high-quality, practical training.
“We also welcome the Government’s wider investment in foundation apprenticeships and the expansion of adult training. These initiatives will play a vital role in rebuilding a strong, domestic workforce.”
This is about more than just getting people into jobs. It is also about delivering homes of quality that meet the nation’s needs and expectations.”
