More than 22,000 new apprenticeships a year and 40,000 construction placements are set to be created under a major government drive to help young people secure skilled careers in some of the UK's fastest-growing sectors.
The UK Government has unveiled the first wave of its new Industrial Strategy Jobs Plans, aimed at expanding apprenticeships, work experience and vocational training opportunities across key industries. The plans focus initially on Professional and Business Services and Construction, with further strategies for Digital and Technologies and Defence expected later this week.
The initiative is designed to address skills shortages, improve employment prospects for young people and support economic growth by strengthening the workforce pipeline across vital sectors.
Under the new commitments, businesses operating in professional and business services, including accountancy, legal services, consulting, cyber security and data analytics, have pledged to recruit 22,400 new apprentices under the age of 25 every year for the next five years.
The sector has also committed to increasing work experience opportunities by 20% and improving support for young people who are not currently in education, employment, or training.
The plans additionally include measures to improve job quality, including wider adoption of the Living Wage, greater salary transparency for entry-level roles, AI literacy training, and the development of a new PBS Good Jobs Standard.
The construction sector will play a critical role in delivering the government's ambitions, with industry aiming to generate 40,000 placements annually as part of a wider commitment to create 100,000 job opportunities each year.
A new Construction Apprenticeship Network will be established to help smaller firms recruit and support apprentices, while workforce planning will be strengthened to identify future skills requirements at national, regional, and local levels.
Career opportunities will span trades including bricklaying, carpentry, electrical installation and plumbing, alongside technical and professional roles in engineering, surveying, planning, and construction management.
The strategy also aims to prepare workers for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and modern methods of construction, while improving productivity and job quality across the sector.
The forthcoming Defence Jobs Plan will support the government's wider ambition to strengthen skills within the defence industry.
Following an agreement reached earlier this year, defence companies will increase work experience opportunities and pathways for young people not in education, employment, or training by 25%.
Industry partners have also committed to introducing a "no wrong door" approach, helping suitable candidates access opportunities throughout the defence supply chain.
The plan is expected to increase participation in defence apprenticeship programmes to at least 14,000 people annually by 2035.
The Jobs Plans are backed by the government's £2.5 billion youth employment package, which aims to provide nearly one million opportunities for young people to earn, learn and gain workplace experience.
Additional measures include:
- 50,000 extra apprenticeships for young people.
- Financial incentives of up to £2,000 for SMEs recruiting apprentices aged 16 to 24.
- Continued National Insurance exemptions for under-21s and apprentices under 25.
The government says the reforms form part of a broader effort to place technical education on equal footing with academic routes, supported by Technical Excellence Colleges, expanded T Levels and new vocational qualifications.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
“Reindustrialising Britain means giving workers the skills they need to get good jobs in growing industries. Too many young people are being denied the chance to get a foot on the career ladder.
“These Jobs Plans bring government and industry together to change that, opening up more apprenticeships, training, and vocational routes into rewarding careers. Our Modern Industrial Strategy is backing the industries where Britain can lead and making sure people in every part of the country benefit from our industrial renewal.”
The government believes stronger partnerships between employers, local leaders and skills providers will be essential to closing workforce gaps and ensuring that more young people can access sustainable, long-term careers.
For health and social care leaders, the plans could provide a useful model for future workforce development strategies, demonstrating how collaboration between government, employers and education providers can help address persistent recruitment and skills challenges.
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