The construction sector has long been grappling with a skills shortage, and training pipelines such as apprenticeships are vital in addressing that. Skills England launched a pilot this year to test new models of apprenticeship delivery and assessment across five standards – including carpentry and joinery – with the cited aim being to make apprenticeships more flexible and accessible. But the proposals have triggered a widespread industry backlash, over concerns that they risk compounding the skills crisis by diluting what competence means for our highly-skilled, safety-critical construction trades.

At Stairways Midlands, we have been training carpentry and joinery apprentices for over two decades. Our programme has helped dozens of young people to build careers, with a number now among our management team. But, for the first time in 20 years, we have had to press pause – because the model being piloted simply is not fit for purpose.