Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has joined 22 other organisations within the construction industry in signing an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, raising concerns about the Government’s proposed Skills England apprenticeship reforms.
Having been part of a Department for Education test pilot, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has identified that the proposed changes could have a negative impact on the development of skilled workers across the sector. These concerns particularly relate to shortening the minimum duration of apprenticeships and mandating a new end- point assessment that favours a shorter, high-level assessment plan over the current impartial final stage of an apprenticeship.
As part of a coalition of 23 organisations and membership and professional bodies from across the construction and built environment sectors, including Unite the Union, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), ECA urges the Government to reconsider the aspects of the proposed reforms.
While ECA welcomes the Government’s pledge to build 1.5million homes over the next few years, we stress that this will only be possible with a competent, qualified and well-trained workforce.
Read the open letter here.
Last updated 22 October 25