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The UK’s scaffolding sector has welcomed major changes to apprenticeship rules, which are expected to create up to 10,000 more training opportunities each year.
The government’s decision to ease entry requirements and reduce apprenticeship durations has been described as a “huge boost” for the industry, helping to address the ongoing skills shortage.
The reforms, announced today by the Department for Education, remove the requirement for apprentices over the age of 19 to complete a Level 2 English and maths qualification—equivalent to a GCSE—to pass their training.
Previously, this requirement deterred many would-be apprentices from entering the sector, exacerbating labour shortages in scaffolding and other key trades.
Additionally, the minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced from 12 months to eight, allowing businesses to train and qualify workers more quickly.
The changes are part of a broader push to boost economic growth by removing red tape and giving employers more control over workforce development.
NASC Backs Reform as “Major Catalyst for Growth”
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has been a strong advocate for reform and has welcomed the government’s decision to remove bureaucratic hurdles.
The organisation has long argued that the previous rules unfairly restricted entry into the scaffolding profession, making it harder to recruit and train new talent.
NASC CEO Clive Dickin hailed the announcement as a turning point for the industry: “I am really pleased with today’s announcement on the relaxing of previously strict requirements for Maths and English qualifications. These have prevented many potential candidates from starting an apprenticeship in our sector.
“Over the last year, I have written several times to various senior politicians on behalf of NASC members and CISRS Centres asking for exactly this kind of change. We’re in favour of anything that reduces red tape. Cutting the bureaucracy around apprenticeships could be a major growth catalyst and help the sector recruit many young talent that had previously been put off.
“This could be a huge boost for the scaffolding and access sector. Longer-term, we are keen to get more funding into training and education initiatives to give a much-needed boost to our home-grown scaffolding talent.
Projects such as NASC’s collaboration with City & Guilds Training on Scaffolding Skills Bootcamps are an excellent example of the industry’s desire to upskill and train more talent.”
A Step Forward for Construction Training
The reforms come at a critical time for the construction sector, which has struggled with a shortage of skilled workers. By removing barriers to entry, the government hopes to attract more apprentices into industries where the demand for labour is high.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the changes were designed to respond to the needs of businesses:
“Growing the economy and opportunity for all are fundamental missions of our Plan for Change, and we are determined to support apprentices. Businesses have been calling out for change to the apprenticeship system, and these reforms show that we are listening. Our new offer of shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality.”
The Federation of Small Businesses has also welcomed the move, highlighting that greater flexibility will help companies, particularly SMEs, to fill skills gaps more efficiently.
Looking Ahead
With the scaffolding industry facing long-term challenges in recruitment and retention, the NASC and other trade bodies will be closely monitoring the impact of these reforms. Many hope that by making apprenticeships more accessible and reducing the time needed to qualify, the industry will be able to attract and train the next generation of scaffolders more effectively.
More details on the rollout of these changes are expected in the coming months.
