Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper

Overview

The government's recent Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper provides a welcome strategic intent at a time of multiple policy announcements. At Kaplan Professional Education, we believe this is the moment for business and education to collaborate more closely than ever before, transforming policy intent into tangible results. For productivity reasons alone, the argument is undeniable that the workforce across almost all sectors of the economy needs upskilling.

More announcements are to come: assessment reform of apprenticeships is underway, with the Level 3 Accounting Assistant standard in the first group of three apprenticeships to trial the simplified assessment methodology. Uncertainty must be resolved for the higher-level standards, where the transfer from IFATE to the Department for Education to Skills England to DWP has resulted in delays to the much-needed updating of certain standards. The Curriculum Assessment Review by Professor Becky Francis has just been published, with V Levels already heralded in the White Paper as one method of simplifying the education system for the country’s young people.

But the calls to action on employers are extensive: from youth guarantees, to ‘stepping forward’ to fund more employee training, to offering T Level placements, to providing interviews for bootcamp students in devolved authorities.

With the budget only weeks away now, Kaplan is urging the government to provide clarity that employers need on the financing of new initiatives, what incentives are to be paid and what co-funding is expected. And for investment for all providers of further education to be tangible, so that the words of encouragement within the White Paper become a reality.

Growth and skills offer

Flexible and modular learning become ‘apprenticeship units’

It’s apparent that a lack of information from the government on the nature of the apprenticeship units, their oversight, and whether employers will be asked to contribute to further funding beyond the levy payments is holding investment back. The first wave of ‘apprenticeship units’ are due to be funded via levy payments (potentially only in part) by April 2026: a mere six months away. We now expect operational information in early January 2026 on how the apprenticeship units will work as part of the levy.

The DWP/DfE are making it clear that levy funds are not entirely for employers to spend on apprenticeships and skills that they want: it will be more prescriptive than that. At the AELP Autumn Conference on 4 November, DWP said that they were aiming to be more transparent on levy usage and that it isn’t entirely the levy-paying employers to spend.

As well as encouraging the release of information earlier than January, we ask the government not to devalue the brand of apprenticeships (which have been described as ‘gold standard’) by using similar (and confusing) terminology for the flexibility to come through the levy.

Digital, AI, and priority sector focus

The government is committing significant investment to 'Techfirst' digital skills and AI learning and is focusing funding on eight priority sectors, including digital and technologies, and Gen AI. In our view, it rightly recognises that technical excellence and skills are at the core of economic growth. The strategy is shifting toward a more integrated, employer-led skills system, with Strategic Authorities taking a greater role in local coordination. Employers should aim to participate actively in consultations and local employer boards, to ensure the voice (and needs) of employers of all sizes are heard by funding and policy decision makers.

Building the 'missing middle': Higher-level skills (Levels 4-6)

The White Paper highlights a critical national challenge

The UK lags behind G7 peers in the proportion of adults holding qualifications at Level 4 or 5 – the 'missing middle' essential for an Industrial Strategy.

Employers should be aware that the government will intensify its promotion of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement as a way for individuals to gain qualifications at Levels 4 and above. Whether individuals will take out a Lifelong Learning Entitlement loan to fund their own higher-level skills remains to be seen, particularly when the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Addressing the NEET crisis

At almost one million, the number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) is a shameful statistic for this country and its future. Kaplan is striving to provide opportunity for young people in its own employment, and the education and wraparound support which young people need to break into the job market.

Employers need clarity from the government and a simplification of the skills funding available. SMEs, who employ 80% of apprentices in this country, have yet to hear about any changes to incentives to encourage them to invest more in addressing the NEET crisis. We welcome initiatives within the White Paper. Kaplan is here to drive measurable improvements in skills and productivity. Here's to the tangible investment from the Treasury to make the words of the White Paper a reality.

How Kaplan contributes to addressing the issues

Kaplan is ready as a strategic partner in navigating the imperatives of the White Paper and Skills England’s Industrial Strategy. With 14 training centres across England and expertise in learning technology, Kaplan has the skills, capabilities, and infrastructure to provide businesses with the technical knowledge and skills so abundantly needed, be that on a national scale, for specific devolved priorities, for global organisations or SMEs.

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  ‘Apprenticeship units’ as the initial wave of ‘levy flexibility’

  We have already developed modular, digitally-enabled courses focused on data and technology skills, human-centric skills such as resilience, management and leadership, as well as financial services to enable employees to thrive at work.

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  Digital expertise

  Our strategy is explicitly focused on driving growth through strategic investment in digital products and expanding our Gen AI offering. We partner with employers to contextualise and customise short courses, which tackle critical skills shortages in areas like digital and AI.

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  Enhanced devolution

  Kaplan has a significant presence through our training centres across England, online classes for those who can’t travel and regional skills and employer networks to ensure the training we deliver is aligned with Local Skills Improvement Plans, Local Growth Plans and regional demands.

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  Provision at all levels, including 4-6

  Our commitment to the 'next generation of courses and personalised learning' in Accountancy and Tax, Financial Services and Data and Technology directly addresses the need for high-level, sector-specific expertise. Our new courses are designed to help the market navigate the technical knowledge and skills required for young professionals and career changers.

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  Supporting NEETs

  We have considerable experience and extensive teams to provide learners with individualised support and expertise in careers guidance, and have the highest rating from Ofsted for our learners’ personal development. We are perfectly positioned to give the guidance which young people need. We work with the Careers Enterprise Council to support schools and young people to make informed decisions.

When a new policy landscape is shaped, it can be challenging for employers to know which provision is credible. Employers need a partner they can trust to deliver high-quality learning which affects change, with consistently excellent service. We are focused on partnerships and service excellence. Our commitment is to provide transformative learning, tailored to sector needs, with first-class service standards. As the White Paper exhorts, we are ready to leverage our capabilities to create further successful partnerships.