UK government: 22,400 new apprenticeships and 40,000 construction placements for young people under industrial strategy

On 19 October 2026 the UK government announced two new "Jobs Plans" under the Modern Industrial Strategy. They cover the professional and business services sector and construction. Their aim is to increase the number of places for young people in apprenticeships, internships and training.

What the plans include

Companies in the professional and business services sector (including accountants, law firms and consultancies) have committed to hiring 22,400 new apprentices under the age of 25 every year. The commitment covers the next five years. The sector is also to increase the number of internship places by 20% and introduce a system for monitoring support for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET). The commitments also include wider use of the Living Wage, a new standard for good workplaces and training in artificial intelligence skills.

In construction, the government is talking about 40,000 apprenticeship places a year. This is part of the previously announced target of 100,000 employment opportunities a year in the sector. Among other things, a Construction Apprenticeship Network is to be created to help smaller firms recruit apprentices. The offer covers trades such as bricklayer, carpenter, electrician and plumber, as well as engineering, surveying and construction management.

Further plans are due to be published at the end of the same week: for the digital and technology sector and for defence. In defence, following the September agreement, companies are to increase the number of internships and pathways for NEET young people by 25%. The number of people on apprenticeships in this sector is to rise to at least 14,000 a year by 2035. Plans for advanced manufacturing and the creative industries are expected soon.

Money and incentives

The plans are backed by a government youth employment package worth £2.5 billion. It is intended to provide almost a million opportunities to learn or work through apprenticeships, internships and training. It includes 50,000 additional apprenticeships for young people and an incentive of up to £2,000 for small and medium-sized businesses that hire an apprentice aged 16–24. The National Insurance contributions exemption for employees under 21 and apprentices under 25 also remains in place.

Local authorities are expected to play an important role: regional mayors, employers and local skills partnerships (Local Skills Improvement Plans) are to help shape training tailored to the needs of their area.

The plans were announced ahead of the publication of the final Milburn review report on youth and employment. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said that too many young people are not getting the chance to start a career. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the plans are meant to create clear routes into apprenticeships, training and good jobs.

What this means for Poles in the UK

The announced measures mainly concern young people and may be relevant to Polish families with teenagers and young adults living in the UK. This applies in particular to people aged 16–24 looking for an apprenticeship or a first job in construction, accounting, law or consultancy. However, recruitment depends on individual employers, and the source does not give application dates or rules of access for people with different immigration statuses. Owners of small businesses, including Polish ones, may be interested in the incentive of up to £2,000 for taking on an apprentice aged 16–24. The details of the rules for this funding were not given in the announcement.