If you’ve been following the headlines around apprenticeships and skills policy, you’ll know changes are coming.
 
The government has launched Skills England, a new national body that’s set to shake up how skills training works across the country. For employers, this could mean more flexibility, better support, and a training system that is better suited for your business.
 
As a leading apprenticeship training provider, DBC is guiding employers through these changes to help ensure they remain at the forefront of talent development.

What is Skills England and Why Does It Matter?
 
Skills England has been set up to fix a problem we’ve all seen coming: a skills system that’s too complex, too rigid, and too out of step with what employers need.
 
It’s now tasked with bringing clarity and direction by:

– Assessing where the UK’s skills gaps really are
– Making sure apprenticeships and training match those needs
– Working with local and national partners to make skills delivery smarter
– Advising the government on how a new Growth and Skills Levy should work
 
For those of us working in apprenticeships every day, this is a positive step forward to delivering a cohesive, simplified and impactful skills system.
 
We welcome the focus Skills England is bringing to employer-led priorities. The system has long required greater clarity and coordination, and now, with Skills England working alongside the Industrial Strategy Council, Combined Authorities, and key business groups, we’re seeing the emergence of a more responsive and coherent skills infrastructure.
 
And for employers, it means more influence and better-targeted training options that deliver real value.

The Growth and Skills Levy: A More Flexible Approach to Funding
 
One of the most exciting changes is the Growth and Skills Levy which is set to replace or reform the existing apprenticeship levy, offering greater flexibility to employers. Skills England will play a key role in determining how levy funds can be spent. We’re expecting a system that:
 
-Allows employers to fund shorter, high-impact training, not just full apprenticeships
– Supports upskilling existing staff, not just new hires
– Opens the door to modular and digital learning which is faster, more flexible, and tailored to real roles
 
This flexibility is crucial and if you’ve ever felt restricted by what you could use your levy for, this will be a welcome change. At DBC, we’re already planning ahead to help you unlock every penny of value from the levy, whether you’re investing in early talent or retraining your existing workforce.
 
Introducing Foundation Apprenticeships: A Boost for Young Talent
 
As part of a new national Youth Guarantee, the government wants to make sure every young person has a clear path into work, training, or further study. To support younger learners and help meet deliver the Youth Guarantee, the government is introducing Foundation Apprenticeships.
 
These are shorter, more flexible programmes designed to help young people build confidence, skills, and work-readiness before they commit to a full apprenticeship or job. Think of them as a prac tical stepping stone for early talent, offering employers an opportunity to engage young talent earlier and support social mobility.
 
We’re actively working with employers right now to plan for Foundation Apprenticeships as more standards are launched that link directly into longer-term hiring goals.
 
How This All Connects to the Industrial Strategy
 
The UK Industrial Strategy, published in June 2025, sets a 10-year vision to position the UK as a global leader in innovation, clean energy, digital transformation, and advanced manufacturing. This is all about long-term growth and high-quality jobs and Skills England will play a critical role in aligning workforce development to these growth sectors.
 
What does that have to do with apprenticeships you might ask? A lot. These are the industries where demand for skilled people is skyrocketing, and Skills England is making sure the training system keeps up. That means more support for future-focused apprenticeships in:
 
– Business and professional services
– Digital and AI-driven roles
– Sustainability and green construction
– Health, social care, and life sciences
 
At DBC, we’re already aligning our programmes with these priorities, so our apprentices aren’t just filling today’s vacancies, they’re building tomorrow’s workforce.
 
Let’s Plan for the Future Together
 
The skills landscape is shifting, but one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to helping employers grow a stronger, more capable workforce.
 
The changes brought about by Skills England and the Industrial Strategy are ambitious but necessary. For employers, they offer a more joined-up, demand-led skills system. But with change comes complexity. That’s where DBC comes in.
 
We’re not just a training provider, we’re your partner in navigating change, making sense of policy, and unlocking real opportunity through apprenticeships and skills.
 
Whether you want to explore foundation apprenticeships, make the most of your levy, or simply talk through what the changes mean for your business, we’re here to help.
 
To explore how your organisation can benefit from the changes ahead, contact us at www.dbc-training.co.uk or speak to our apprenticeship experts today.

Let’s shape the future of your workforce, together.