In response to the Department for Education’s (DfE) proposal to limit public funding for Level 7 apprenticeships — with a potential exemption for 16–21-year-olds — CIPFA CEO Owen Mapley (pictured) said: “CIPFA supports the principle of an age concession for apprenticeships and welcomes the news that the government may be re-evaluating its approach to Level 7 funding.
“However, we urge caution around proposals to exempt only 16–21-year-olds. This approach risks skewing recruitment in favour of school leavers, who typically require a longer route to chartered accountancy qualifications. Such a shift could unbalance the talent pipeline and have lasting consequences for the profession.
“Skills are central to the growth of public and private sector organisations — and to the wider economy. That’s why CIPFA has called on the Education Secretary to reconsider setting any funding restriction on under-25s. This would protect access to high-quality apprenticeships for young people while better aligning with how Level 7 programmes operate in practice.
“Level 7 apprenticeships are not simply academic qualifications. They are structured professional development pathways, offering mentoring, workplace learning, and wrap-around pastoral support. These programmes are best suited to individuals who have completed a degree or gained relevant experience, rather than those entering the workforce directly from school.
“CIPFA’s data reinforces this point. Over the past three years, more than 92% of CIPFA’s Level 7 apprenticeship starts were aged 21–25, while just 5–7% were aged 18–21. This reflects the reality that most participants are graduates or mature learners who benefit from the higher-level skills development these programmes offer.
“Ensuring a strong and sustained talent pipeline into government finance roles is essential. With growing workforce pressures and increasing demands on public financial management, maintaining access to high-quality training pathways will be vital for the resilience and effectiveness of public finance teams in the years ahead.”
