Asda urges government to reconsider plans to defund leadership apprenticeships
Asda has urged the government to reconsider plans to defund leadership and management apprenticeships as it publishes its 2025 Apprenticeship Impact Report
Released during National Apprenticeship Week, the report highlights the tangible impact apprenticeship funding had on its staff and local communities last year.
Subscribe to TRBDuring the period, Asda invested £2.7 million in apprenticeship training, helping over 200 staff members complete programmes alongside their day jobs.
It also expanded its offer to 85 apprenticeship programmes, with half of all colleagues completing an apprenticeship since 2024 going on to secure a promotion.
In addition £1.15 million in levy transfers supported 165 apprentices across 80 small and medium‑sized businesses in London, Leicester, West Yorkshire and Manchester.
The report also highlights challenges with the current funding system which last year saw £11.7 million of Asda’s levy expire unused due to restrictions on how employers can deploy their funds.
With the government signalling its intention to reform apprenticeships in the UK, Asda said this could prevent apprentices from moving from the shop floor into management positions.
James Goodman, Asda’s chief people officer, said: “Apprenticeships are central to helping colleagues build the skills they need to thrive and to developing the next generation of retail leaders. We’re proud to offer high-quality programmes that grow talent within Asda and support local SMEs to upskill their teams.
“The current funding system is holding employers back, with millions in levy funding going unused because of restrictive rules. Reports that the government plan to defund leadership apprenticeships would clearly be a further backward step, that would cut off proven progressioroutes and weaken the sector’s ability to develop future leaders.”
