Writing for our Budget blog post series, Julie Halford of the University of Roehampton sets out how the Chancellor can get behind apprentices on 26 November.
With party conference season behind us, attention now turns to the Autumn Budget and how the Government can turn its ambitions for growth and productivity into reality.
Ministers have repeatedly emphasised the importance of skills to driving economic renewal. But if the UK is serious about tackling regional inequalities, boosting social mobility and meeting employer demand, then apprenticeships and the higher education sector that increasingly supports them must be front and centre of the Chancellor’s plans.
Last month’s announcements on expanding the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) and modular funding were welcome. But they must be matched by bold investment in the infrastructure that enables delivery especially in universities and colleges working in partnership with employers to create flexible, high-quality pathways into work.
At Roehampton, we’re seeing growing demand from employers for degree apprenticeships in sectors ranging from healthcare and digital to construction and creative industries. These programmes are not just about skills they’re about unlocking potential, diversifying talent pipelines, and giving learners from all backgrounds a chance to earn while they learn.
Yet barriers remain. Funding caps haven’t kept pace with inflation. Many SMEs still struggle to navigate the system. And universities face real challenges in sustaining provision without long-term certainty or support for capacity building.
The Budget is a chance to change that. The Chancellor should launch a review of funding bands to reflect the true cost of delivery whilst committing to investment in regional apprenticeship hubs to support employer engagement. These measures should be accompanied by support for universities expanding into technical and vocational education, including capital funding for specialist facilities.
Crucially, the Government must also back innovation in how apprenticeships are delivered, especially in light of its new target to have two-thirds (67%) of young people participating in apprenticeships or degrees. That means supporting blended and modular approaches, recognising prior learning, and enabling progression from Level 2 through to Level 7 — particularly in sectors where talent shortages are acute.
Higher education has a vital role to play here. Universities are not just research institutions they are anchor institutions in their communities, with the ability to convene employers, colleges and local authorities to design pathways that work.
The UK has world-class universities and a proud apprenticeship tradition. The challenge now is to bring these strengths together and ensure that every learner, regardless of background, has access to opportunity.
The choice is clear. Back apprenticeships and the HE sector and unlock the talent that will drive Britain’s future growth. Or risk leaving a generation behind, just when we need them most.