Swindon mayor says scrapping Maths and English requirements opens “golden doors” for apprentices
The government hopes this will help apprentices complete their courses
Apprentices in Swindon and the UK will no longer need to pass their level 2 Maths and English qualifications if they are 19 or older.
Instead, it will now be up to businesses to decide whether they believe that skills in the two subjects are necessary to complete the course.
The Department of Education is hoping to get around 10,000 more apprentices to complete their apprenticeships this year.
Matt Butcher, vice principal of New College Swindon, said: “I think it will mean that a lot more adults and slightly older people will consider apprenticeships as a really good opportunity for them to upskill, reskill, get back into the workplace, change career – all of those things that apprenticeships are really, really good at supporting”.
It comes as part of national apprenticeship week which is running from 10 to 16 February this year.
Between August and October 2024, more than 90,000 people aged 19 or older started an apprenticeship – but according to the DfE, almost half of them never complete the course.
By relaxing the rules, the government is hoping to get more people to sign up for apprenticeships as well as to complete the course once they have started it.
Mr Butcher added: “I’m really pleased that they actioned it quickly. I’ve seen a lot of people over the years get slightly intimidated by the English and Maths elements of an apprenticeship – which they really don’t need to be – but I think this will just take some barriers around and hopefully it means we can get more people on apprenticeships locally”.
The mayor of Swindon welcomed the change as well.
“I think it’s giving many options to those who have difficulties, challenges, have to opt out for many reasons or may not be able to perform. The last thing we want is them to go away with stress and worry, but this is opening them golden doors where you don’t have to worry yet do something that you love to do”, said councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh.
Everyone aged 16 – 18 who wants to do an apprenticeship will still have to complete Maths and English functional skills qualifications.