From January only 16 to 21 year olds will qualify for funding for apprenticeships at level 7, the highest level, which considered equivalent to a master’s degree.
The Government says the changes will free up funding to create an extra 120,000 new training opportunities as part of what it describes as a “radical skills revolution”.
It says its measures are back by a £3bn apprenticeship budget and will open up opportunities for young people to succeed in careers which it says the country “vitally needs to prosper” – including construction and healthcare.
The changes will see three new Level 2 construction courses for adults launched in England under the Government’s Free Courses for Jobs scheme, with £14m of adult skills funding for construction devolved to local mayors for the next academic year to support up to 5,000 additional adult learners.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “When we invest in skills for young people we invest in a shared, stronger economic future, creating opportunities as part of our Plan for Change.
“But everyone has a role to play in a thriving economy and we’re taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment, it’s now the responsibility of young people to take them.”
