Changes in the Apprenticeship Landscape in England

• The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) has transitioned its functions to Skills England, a new body established by the UK government. This transition places apprenticeships (and the planned changes to the apprenticeship levy) central to the UK’s future skills strategy.
• For all apprentices over 19, Maths and English qualifications are no-longer mandatory. Where wanted and needed, learners will remain able to access fully funded support to obtain these qualifications through their training provider.
• The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that the minimum length of an apprenticeship is now set at 8 months, rather than 12; a change that can benefit those with prior learning or experience.

Spotlight on Level 3 Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship

With the above flexibilities in place, now is a great time to consider the level 3 transport planning technician apprenticeship (TPTA), which enables learners to:

• gain valuable work experience
• learn new skills
• improve their career prospects
• gain a BTEC in Transport Planning
• become professionally qualified as an Engineering Technician (EngTech)
• all while earning a salary

CIHT has been an End Point Assessment Organisation for this apprenticeship since 2016 and has conducted the assessments for over 170 apprentices entering the sector.

The learning providers for the level 3 transport planning technician apprenticeship are Leeds College of Building and Chichester College. 

Hear from the Colleges who deliver the Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship

We asked the Project Manager for Transport Planning and Designated Safeguarding Officer at Leeds College of Building, Sarah Carter, why apprentices and employers should consider the TPTA.

Sarah said:

Inclusive of a European fieldtrip where apprentices can learn from those with leading transport infrastructures, now is the time to consider the level 3 transport planning technician apprenticeship as it enters its 10th intake. With nearly 200 apprentices completing the course at a 98.5% pass rate with CIHT as their End Point Assessment Organisation, Leeds College of Building will be onboarding new apprentices on 20th October 2025, with applications now open!

Find out more information about the TPTA and apply with Leeds College of Building, here.

From 2025 Chichester College will also be offering the TPTA.

We asked the Professional Services and Land Based Sales Consultant at Chichester College, Taimoor Saleem, why they decided to deliver the apprenticeship.

Taimoor said:

Chichester College is excited to announce the launch of our new Level 3 Transport Planning Technician apprenticeship, building on our outstanding track record of training in this sector. Rated as Outstanding for our apprenticeship provision, we are committed to equipping learners with the skills and knowledge needed to design sustainable, efficient, and innovative transportation systems that will shape the future of urban mobility and improve quality of life worldwide. Applications are now open until the end of August 2025!

Find out more information about the TPTA and apply with Chichester College, here.

Hear from a current apprentice on the Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship

We asked current level 3 transport planning technician apprentice at SYSTRA, Gracie Belwood, about her experiences on the TPTA.

Gracie said:

The level 3 transport planning technician apprenticeship has provided me with such a positive experience of working in the sector.

Thanks to the support of my employer, SYSTRA, my learning provider, Leeds College of Building and my Professional Institution, CIHT, I am now passionate about highlighting the many benefits of highways and transportation sector apprenticeships to others.

Some other changes to be aware of in England:

Update on Transport Planning Degree Apprenticeship

• Aston University were the first to deliver the historic graduation of the first cohort of transport planning degree apprentices on the level 6 transport planning degree apprenticeship. Sadly, they are not recruiting a cohort this year
• Excitingly, Northeastern University is now set to deliver the level 6 transport planning degree apprenticeship from September 2025. Find out more here.

Update on Civil Engineering Apprenticeships

• From 2025, the level 6 civil engineering apprenticeship will become an integrated degree apprenticeship, offering new opportunities for alignment with CIHT’s professional qualifications.
• Both the level 3 and 4 civil engineering apprenticeships can now link to Engineering Technician (EngTech).

Learn about other apprenticeship schemes across the UK

The Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship isn’t the only apprenticeship route into the sector. Across all four nations there are a number of different routes.

Find out more on our apprenticeships schemes page.

FREE Apprentice Membership with CIHT

If you are working towards a career in highways and transportation and you are on an apprentice scheme, you can join CIHT as an apprentice member for Free! Find out more and apply here.

For more information

For more information, about this and apprenticeships in the highways and transportation sector, please see our Apprenticeship Schemes webpage or contact CIHTs Education team at: professionaldevelopment@ciht.org.uk