Skills News

Control over apprenticeships policy will move from the Department for Education (DfE) to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), following the government reshuffle last week. The change was confirmed by the new skills minister, Jacqui Smith, during an interview at the EuroSkills competition in Denmark. This shift means that responsibility for apprenticeship policy, the […]

With multiple high level changes taking place, you do not have to navigate them alone. Amanda Scott NAS/IOC UK Skills Led reports on the latest change — the new 8 Month Foundation Apprenticeship. Love it or loath it, it’s here, and with it comes a whole new range of criteria, eligibility, and funding changes for

The latest edition of the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) Connect Newsletter provides important updates for our sector, ranging from new funding for skills to safety reforms and digital innovation. Below, we’ve highlighted key developments for NAS members. 💷 Investment in Construction Skills At the Spring Statement, the Government announced £625 million of investment to tackle

We want to update you on some important developments from CITB that will affect how employers access funding for training. These changes are designed to streamline processes and strengthen support for levy-registered employers, with the ultimate aim of helping address the industry’s ongoing skills challenge. What’s changing and why CITB is simplifying its approach to

As part of a major reform of the Scottish education system, the Education (Scotland) Bill, published on 5 June 2024, sets out plans to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new body: Qualifications Scotland. Expected to be operational by Autumn 2025, Qualifications Scotland will take on all current responsibilities of the SQA. This

CITB has released a draft Competence Framework for Trade Supervisors as part of its 2025 review – and they want your input. The framework sets out the skills, knowledge, behaviours, and experiences expected of supervisors across the industry. 🗓️ Consultation closes 29 July 2025 Why This Matters for Shopfitters As the voice of the shopfitting

While mostly relevant to members of our partner organisation, the Institute of Carpenters, we decided to share the article here for interested NAS members. A Trailblazer Apprenticeship is an employer-led apprenticeship model in England that focuses on industry-defined standards and end-point assessments. Trailblazer apprenticeships are developed by groups of employers, known as “Trailblazer groups,” who

The Competence Framework for Site Carpentry and Fire Door Installation has been released and is now published for industry consultation and feedback. For anyone unsure of what a Competence Framework is and why it is important, you can visit the CITB’s website for further information. Detailed craft specific work for Site Carpentry, Shopfitting Bench Work,

On the 19th of June 2025, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) released their ‘Construction Workforce Outlook 2025–2029′, outlining both significant opportunities and pressing challenges for the UK construction sector – including the shopfitting industry. With output reaching £215.7 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at an average of 2.1% annually over the next

National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Wood Occupations Review Update from Amanda Scott, Chair of NOS Wood Occupations Review Body, and National Working Group. It has been a privilege to lead the alignment of the NAS and the Institute of Carpenters (IOC) across all timber trades, through a constructive collaboration focused on updating and standardising wood