Occupational therapist from Oxfordshire hopes more adults will take up an apprenticeship
It’s as Maths and English qualifications will no longer be needed for those over 19
Last updated 14th Feb 2025
An occupational therapist from Oxfordshire hopes more adults will be encouraged to take up an apprenticeship after the government announced Maths and English qualifications will no longer be needed.
Apprentices over the age of 19 will no longer be required to undertake English and maths functional skills qualifications in order to complete their course.
“I would encourage anyone to apply"
The rules for apprentices have been relaxed so more learners can qualify in sectors like healthcare, social care and construction.
Paula Mattachine-Lee, 57, from near Banbury, worked in therapeutic childcare and retrained as a fully qualified occupational therapist with and apprenticeship.
She said: “I was able to really gain from the learning and not have to give up the job that was paying for my bills and be able to afford to carry on living my life. It meant that I could maintain my basic standard of living without having to really tighten my belt.”
Ms Mattachine-Lee added: “I would encourage anyone to apply for an apprenticeship. It means that you get to work, you get life experience and work experience. So, there's lots in the apprenticeship that really gives huge benefit.
“Whether you're as an older adult looking to develop your career or change your career, the apprenticeship has amazing capacity and flexibility.”
Up to 10,000 more apprentices would be able to qualify a year as a result of the changes, according to the Department for Education (DfE).
Employers will be given the flexibility to decide whether adult apprentices will need to complete a level 2 English and maths qualification - equivalent to GCSE - in order to pass their course, the Government has announced.
“Right balance between speed and quality”
The minimum duration of an apprenticeship will also be reduced to eight months, down from 12 months, to allow workers in shortage occupations - like green energy, healthcare, and film/TV production - to become trained sooner.
Changes to the minimum length of an apprenticeship will be introduced from August subject to the legislative timetable, the DfE said.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says, "shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality".
Speaking to the PA news agency, Ms Phillipson said: "Apprentices will still have to undertake English and maths training as part of their apprenticeship and it will be linked directly to what they're training in.
"For example, for a bricklayer you need to understand ratios, the ability to estimate, and much more besides, and that will continue.
"But I've heard from businesses that they feel that the red tape that's there at the moment is holding back apprenticeship starts, and we know we desperately need more apprenticeship starts in key areas like construction."