Category: Apprenticeship Program

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Less Red Tape, More Opportunities

Good news for anyone thinking about starting an apprenticeship—big changes are coming to make the process smoother and help more people qualify! The UK government has just announced reforms that could open up 10,000 extra apprenticeship spots every year.

One of the biggest updates? Employers now have more say over whether adult apprentices (19+) need to pass a GCSE-level English and maths qualification. This means if you’re over 19 and starting an apprenticeship, you might not have to retake exams in these subjects just to pass your training. Instead, the focus will be on real-world skills and work experience—making it easier to get into industries without unnecessary hurdles.

Apprenticeships Just Got Faster

Starting in August 2025, some apprenticeships will go from 12 months down to just 8 months—so you can qualify and start earning faster. This change is being tested first in three key industries:
✅ Green Energy
✅ Healthcare
✅ Film & TV Production

Shorter apprenticeships will also be a big win for industries like construction and social care, where workers are urgently needed. With the government pushing to build 1.5 million homes, this means more jobs and quicker career paths for apprentices in these fields.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says this is all about making apprenticeships work for both businesses and learners. “Our new approach balances speed with quality,” she said, highlighting that getting more people into good jobs is a top priority.

New Skills Taskforce to Shape the Future

To make sure these changes work for young people, a new Skills England leadership team has been set up. These experts will work with employers, training providers, and unions to identify where skills are needed most and which apprenticeships should get the faster-track option.

What Employers Are Saying

The response from big businesses and training providers has been super positive. Industry leaders say that making apprenticeships more flexible will help both young people and career changers get into work more easily.

🔹 Federation of Small Businesses: “This will help small employers fill skills gaps faster.”
🔹 Multiverse (founded by Euan Blair MBE): “It’s a great step toward opening apprenticeships to more people.”
🔹 John Lewis Partnership: “Dropping the GCSE barrier means apprenticeships will be more accessible, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Big brands like Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Starbucks UK, and John Lewis are already backing the changes, which will help apprentices from all backgrounds, including care leavers and those with learning disabilities.

When Do These Changes Kick In?

🚀 English & Maths flexibility = Effective immediately!
📅 Shorter apprenticeships = Rolling out August 2025 (if approved by Parliament)

With these updates, apprenticeships are becoming faster, more accessible, and focused on real-world experience. If you’ve been considering an apprenticeship but were worried about GCSEs or long training times, now’s the time to jump in!

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What an amazing story of inspiration from The Macarthur Advertiser..

Aspiring hairdresser travels from Grenfell to Narellan for apprenticeship opportunity.

People in Macarthur are used to a bit of a commute to work, but more than 350 kilometres? That’s dedication.

But the long distance from her home in Grenfell to Narellan didn’t bother Tanaya Holz.

The 18-year-old saw that Just Cuts Narellan was looking for an apprentice as part of a new statewide hairdressing apprenticeship scheme, and decided to give it a go. She has become the very first apprentice in the scheme.

Just Cuts Narellan owner Anna Duric said she never expected to get a response to her ad from a small Central West town.

“My first thought was where is she going to live,” Ms Duric said.

As it turns out, Ms Holz’s grandmother lives in Ingleburn and will welcome the teen into her home for the duration of the three-year apprenticeship.

“Tanaya called me the day before the in-person interview to check it was still on, because it’s a four-hour train ride for her to Campbelltown,” Ms Duric said.

“She didn’t want to buy the ticket if it was cancelled.

“When Tanaya came for the interview she brought her grandmother in, and she said she’d do anything to help her granddaughter, as Grenfell is a small town without the opportunities we have here.”

Ms Duric was impressed by Ms Holz’s drive and was happy to take her on as an apprentice.

“It’ll be challenging for her to adjust given she has no friends locally, but we want to give her the practical salon skills she needs to complement her Certificate III in Hairdressing so she’s salon-ready when she graduates in three years’ time,” she said.

“Just Cuts only employs fully qualified stylists, so she was disappointed on her first day not to be able to cut hair – but learning reception skills and customer service is essential to a career as a stylist.”

Ms Duric said there was a national shortage of fully-qualified hairdressers, which she believes is due to a lack of interest in the profession from school-leavers.

She hopes the new apprenticeship program might go a ways to changing that.

“We’re open seven days and we need people to work weekends,” Ms Duric said.

“I think many school-leavers aren’t considering the value of a practical trade – there’s plenty of jobs available.

“You just can’t get your hair cut online, Covid-19 hasn’t changed that.”

“Tanaya’s a great example that all you need is enthusiasm and passion, and a commitment, and the rest will work itself out. Just Cuts is a great place to start because we cut hair for all ages and styles.”

Due to the national skills shortage, apprentices will be eligible to receive $1000 after completing 12 months of the NSW scheme, and a further $1000 at the completion of the three-year apprenticeship term with NSW Just Cuts salons.

To sign up to the Just Cuts NSW salon Apprenticeship Program, or for more information, visit www.justcuts.com.au/careers/current-vacancies.