As the UK prepares to overhaul its apprenticeship system, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is stepping up efforts to protect the competence framework critical to safe construction.

From April 2026, the Apprenticeship Levy will transition into the Growth & Skills Levy, giving employers greater flexibility in funding workforce training. The reforms aim to boost apprenticeship uptake by allowing funds for modular, shorter, and targeted skills programmes, alongside changes to end-point assessment structures.

While increased participation is welcomed across the industry, sectors delivering high-risk building components – like glazing and fenestration systems – warn that reducing independent assessments could weaken essential safety and competence standards.

The GGF has raised these concerns with Neil Coyle MP and is actively collaborating with the 31-member Apprenticeship Coalition, led by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), to ensure reforms balance accessibility with verified training quality.

“More people entering apprenticeships is crucial to addressing UK skills shortages,” said John Mannell, GGF technical officer. “But competence must remain at the centre. Independent assessment ensures trainees are fully capable of delivering safe and compliant glazing and construction work.”

The GGF also continues to support new talent via its Skilled Pathways for Trainees programme, hosted through the GGF Training Hub, which offers structured industry entry routes with recognised qualifications and competency benchmarks for both apprentices and employers.