APPG on apprenticeships call for evidence
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into apprenticeships examined how the apprenticeship system can better support the government’s Industrial Strategy, economic growth, and workforce development. The inquiry considers whether apprenticeships are sufficiently responsive to the skills needs of priority sectors and explores opportunities to strengthen employer engagement, regional skills planning, careers guidance and assessment.
In our response, EAUC welcomes the direction of recent reforms and highlights the important role apprenticeships can play in supporting both economic prosperity and the transition to a more sustainable economy. We emphasise that sustainability should be embedded consistently across apprenticeship standards, qualifications and wider skills policy, recognising that workers across all sectors will require the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to support innovation, resource efficiency and climate resilience. The response draws on evidence from across the tertiary education sector, including EAUC’s policy roundtables and State of the Sector research, to demonstrate the importance of a whole-system approach.
We call for stronger alignment between the Industrial Strategy, education and skills policy, and sustainability ambitions, alongside continued investment in educator development, employer engagement and place-based skills planning. Apprenticeships should equip learners with the capabilities needed not only for today’s workforce, but also for the evolving challenges of a sustainable, innovative and resilient economy.
| 4 August 2026 | |
| Resource | |
| APPG on apprenticeships call for evidence response.pdf | |
| EAUC |
