The Government’s new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper (October 2025) sets out some of the biggest changes in years to how education, training and employment support will work for young people and adults.
The aim is simple: grow the economy by giving people the skills employers actually need.
Here’s what’s coming – and why it matters to your business.
A Joined-Up Skills System
The White Paper recognises what employers have said for years: the system has been confusing. There’ll now be a much closer link between education, training and employment support so people can move more easily from learning to earning.
Skills England will play a key role, using national and local data to understand which jobs and skills are most in demand – and making sure colleges and training providers can respond quickly.
The Growth and Skills Levy
One of the biggest changes is the new Growth and Skills Levy, replacing the Apprenticeship Levy from 2026.
This is good news for employers.
You’ll still be able to fund apprenticeships, but you’ll also have the flexibility to use your levy for short, targeted training courses – for example, in digital, AI, construction, engineering or green energy.
That means you can upskill existing staff faster, without committing to a full apprenticeship.
The new system will make it easier to respond to skills gaps and invest in the training that really matters to your organisation.
A Prestigious Further Education System
Colleges are being put at the heart of the skills plan. Expect to see:
- New Technical Excellence Colleges delivering high-quality, employer-linked training.
- Simplified qualifications at Level 3 – A Levels, T Levels and the new V Levels.
- More investment in teaching quality and technology, so learners get practical, career-focused training.
Higher Education for Everyone
Universities and colleges will be encouraged to work more closely together.
The new Lifelong Learning Entitlement will give every adult access to four years of loan funding they can use throughout their life – not just at 18.
This will make it much easier for adults to retrain or switch careers later on.
Support for Young People
Nearly a million young people are currently not in education, employment or training. The Government’s Youth Guarantee aims to change that, promising every 16–24-year-old access to a college place, training, or a job with support.
Why It Matters
For employers, this White Paper is a turning point.
It’s about building a future-ready workforce – one that’s digital, adaptable and confident.
At SEATS, we’ll be helping businesses across Essex and beyond make sense of the changes, find funded training opportunities, and make the most of the new Growth and Skills Levy.
If you’d like to know how your organisation can prepare, talk to our team.
Read the full report here
