As part of our opinion series for National Apprenticeship Week, Quentin Cole of PwC sets out how the Government should go further to improve access to training opportunities across London and beyond.
Apprenticeships are more than just an alternative to further education. They are a proven engine of opportunity, innovation, and social mobility, and we need many more of them if we are serious about boosting growth, widening access to skilled careers, and building a future-ready workforce.
London, as a global business hub, exemplifies the need for diverse and skilled talent pools, where apprenticeships can play a crucial role in meeting these demands. Demand for high-skill talent is on the rise, particularly in digital, green, and technology sectors, and with skills changing fast, businesses need to provide flexible, future-focused early career pathways.
Apprenticeships offer a direct answer, offering real skills, real work, and real careers developed from day one. In London, where technology and innovation sectors thrive, apprenticeships can equip individuals with the skills needed to excel in such a competitive environment.
At PwC, we invest in apprenticeships to build in-demand skills and address skills shortages. By growing talent from within, we can build a future-ready workforce while widening access to high-value career pathways.
Providing a range of entry routes into the business is critical to us attracting the best and most diverse talent across gender, ethnic and social diversity while expanding access for young people who may not pursue traditional academic pathways. Our apprenticeships are delivered in partnership with leading universities and colleges, including Birmingham, Leeds, Queen Mary University of London, and others.
Government-approved apprenticeship standards, many co-designed with employers, have matured into high-quality, industry-aligned pathways, strengthening trust in the model. Recent reforms to the Apprenticeship Levy, along with training flexibility through modular Apprenticeship Units, show a desire to address skills shortages more responsively and ensure investment meets local and national priorities.
In London, businesses can benefit from these reforms by utilising apprenticeships to address unique local requirements, be it in finance, technology, or creative industries. There is also increasing flexibility for employers to use levy funds for a broader range of training, a positive step towards encouraging greater uptake, especially in fast-moving sectors.
But there is still more to do. To meet the UK’s future skills needs, government and employers must work together to expand high-quality apprenticeships, improve guidance in schools, and ensure that funding and policy frameworks support both enterprise growth and genuine social mobility.
One of the things the Government could do is accelerate progress by delivering long-term clarity on levy policy. This would allow businesses to plan confidently for their workforce needs. Continued reform is essential to ensure the system remains agile, employer-led, and aligned to emerging skills gaps.
Apprenticeships have long powered the country’s economic evolution. With the right ambition, investment, and reform, they can once again be a cornerstone of national growth and provide a route for every young person to access meaningful, skilled, and prosperous work.
In a city like London, the potential for apprenticeships to bridge skills gaps and drive industry innovation is immense, contributing significantly to the UK’s growth agenda.