The changing face of apprentices

Date: 22/08/2025

The changing face of apprentices

Did you know that nearly half of construction apprentices are now over 25.
The traditional view of apprenticeships is that they are usually thought of as a route into work for school leavers, but the reality in construction tells a different story.
Department for Education data reveals that 43% of construction apprentices are aged 25 or over, with many already working in the industry before starting their training.
This mirrors a broader national pattern, with almost half (48%) of all apprentices in England now over 25. Employers are increasingly turning to apprenticeships not only to attract fresh talent but also to upskill and retain their workforce—supporting everyone from tradespeople seeking formal recognition of their skills to site supervisors preparing for leadership roles.

How is this happening?

Upskilling the workforce – With well-documented skills shortages, many employers are putting trusted staff through apprenticeships to broaden their expertise.

Eased entry requirements – Since August 2025, candidates over 19 are no longer required to hold English or Maths qualifications to complete their end-point assessment, opening opportunities to a wider group of learners.

Greater flexibility – Apprenticeships can now be studied part-time, and accelerated routes enable experienced staff to qualify in as little as eight months.
Growth in higher-level programmes – In 2023/24, higher-level apprenticeships made up 36% of all starts nationally.
Post-pandemic recovery – Covid-19 saw apprenticeship starts fall sharply among younger people, particularly in lower-level programmes, while numbers among older learners—often already employed and pursuing advanced training—remained more resilient.
Funding and incentives – Employers continue to benefit from 100% National Insurance relief for apprentices aged 16–24, but many also see the 95% government funding available for training older staff as equally valuable.

The long and the short of it is, in effect, apprenticeships have become a workforce development tool for all ages, not just a route into the industry for teenagers.
Readyfix fully supports apprentices in their career journey.
Construction faces a dual challenge: attracting young talent while supporting adults already in the workforce. The good news is that apprenticeships, with their blend of funded training and real work experience, are uniquely positioned to do both.
With greater flexibility and funding support now in place, the opportunity is clear, but employers will need to address retention head-on if they want to secure the long-term skills pipeline the industry needs.

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