Following National Apprenticeship Week, the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce has backed calls from the British Chambers of Commerce for further reform of the apprenticeship system, warning that current changes do not go far enough to meet the needs of employers.
Recruitment pressures remain acute locally. The Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey shows that 78% of employers in Cambridgeshire are struggling to recruit. At the same time, apprenticeship achievement rates in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough remain below the national average, with 45 achievements per 10,000 working age population in 2024/25 compared to 54 across England.
National research from the British Chambers of Commerce found:
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67% of firms are facing skills shortages
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52% do not believe current training options are bridging the gap
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61% say proposed reforms would not change their hiring plans
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19% say the changes would make them less likely to take on an apprentice
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37% say lowering the National Living Wage threshold from 21 to 18 would reduce youth recruitment
These findings highlight the scale of the challenge facing employers both locally and nationally.
“The system is not meeting demand”
Charlotte Horobin, CEO at Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, said:
“National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate apprenticeships and their impact on individuals and businesses. But the reality is that the system is not meeting demand. With around one million young people classed as NEET and only 12,800 apprenticeship vacancies available on the national government portal as of February, there is a clear mismatch.
Employers need more flexibility with levy funding, clearer guidance, and a skills system shaped by business insight.”
Through its work on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Skills Improvement Plan, commissioned by Skills England, the Chamber works closely with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to ensure employer insight informs regional skills planning and investment decisions.
Charlotte added:
“Local collaboration is critical. Through the LSIP, we are inviting employers to take part in a 1-to-1 interview about skills in the region. It is completely anonymous, but the insight provided could be exceptionally valuable for future prosperity. The information will help shape real, local changes to skills provision in key sectors.”
The Chamber is also highlighting the CPCA’s offer of up to £5,000 in financial support for businesses investing in workforce development. As LSIP partners, both organisations are committed to helping employers address ongoing skills shortages.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to championing apprenticeships while continuing to press for reforms that deliver flexibility, clarity, and employer-led growth.