LONDON, July 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
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150 businessesincluding BAE Systems,Network Rail and Lloyds Banking Group namedas leadingapprenticeshipemployers.
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They are recognised forpowering the next generation of skilled workers throughhigh quality, engagingapprenticeships.
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Governmentto create50,000 new apprenticeshipsfor young peopleto reverse the 40% decline in apprenticeship starts among16-24-year-olds.
Top ranking apprenticeship employershave beenrevealedafterthe publication of thenew leaderboard- withBAE Systems topping the listfor 2026.
The annual Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers for 2026was published today bythe Department for Work and Pensions in partnership withcareers siteHigherin.
These listsshowcaseemployerswho areopening upcareer pathways and delivering skilled workers through apprenticeshipsacross the country.
The listshighlightthe breadth of careersyoung people can kickstart with anapprenticeship, withdefence and security specialist BAE Systems named the country's number one apprenticeship employer for 2026.Construction firm LJ Construction Carpentry Contractors Ltdwasnamed this year's top SME apprenticeship employer.
Apprenticeships offer a powerful route into rewarding careersfor young people,providingan earn-as-you-learn opportunity that combines real-world experience with nationally recognised qualifications.
The government is boosting the number of apprenticeshipopportunitiesavailabletoyoung people as a priority, building the skilled, motivated workforce that businesses and the economy need.
Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith said:
From household names to ambitious local businesses, theseorganisationsshow what is possible whenemployersput skills at the heart of their growth.
The skills, confidence and professional networks that apprenticeships provide give young people their first step onto the career ladder, and the foundation for a rewarding, lifelong career.
Our reforms are givingemployers thefreedom to invest in talent, and together we're building a workforce ready for the future.
The Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers for 2026 are:
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BAE Systems Plc
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Sellafield Ltd
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Balfour Beatty
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Network Rail
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Go-Ahead Group
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Lloyds Banking Group
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Grant Thornton UK Advisory and Tax LLP
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JLR
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British Broadcasting Corporation
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EY
The Top 5 SME Apprenticeship Employers for 2026 are:
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LJ Construction Carpentry Contractors Ltd
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Puffins of Exeter
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MDS Ltd
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Forbury Gardens Day Nursery
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Lionweld Kennedy
By reforming the Growth and Skills Levy to give employers greater flexibilityand funding incentives of up to£8,000per young apprentice, the government ismaking it easier than ever for businesses to take onthe next generation ofapprentices.Additionalsupportis availablefor smaller businesses to help them build thetalent pipelinethey need to grow.
These reforms are the biggest transformation of the system in a decadetoensure it is fit for purpose, delivers value for money, and gives businesses the flexibility they need to invest in the talent that will drive growth.
Central to this is a refocusing of investment towards equipping young people with the skills needed for priority sectors, withfoundationapprenticeship units in key sectors includingconstruction, engineering and manufacturing and digitalopening upmore opportunities than ever before.
Tania Gandamihardja, Group Human Resources Director at BAE Systems, said:
We're honoured to be named the top apprenticeship employer in England. Apprenticeships are one of the most powerful tools we have - not just for bringing brilliant people into our workforce, but for making sure those opportunities are open to everyone.
Our apprentices are an incredibly important part of the BAE Systemsteam,and this recognition shows how committed we are to making the programme a success year-in, year-out.
Ryan Jones, Director, LJ Construction Carpentry Contractors Ltd, said:
We're incredibly proud to be named the number one Top SME apprenticeship employer. Apprenticeships are at the heart of what we do at LJ Construction -it'sunbelievably rewarding to give young people the skills and opportunities to build acareerthey can be proud of.
The construction industry faces a real skills challenge, and we see that as a call to action. The fact that 24 out of our 28 apprentices from previous years are still with us and progressing well tells you everything about what a structured, supportive programme can achieve.
Additional Information:
TheTop Apprenticeship Employer Listrankings, compiled by the Department for Work and Pensions in partnership withHigherin,are calculated using a broad assessment of employerstrengthin apprenticeship delivery, covering three equally weighted areas:
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Apprentice achievements, including achievement rates and volume of completions;
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Employer commitment,taking into accountthe number of young apprentices, the size and breadth of the programme, cohort diversity and the proportion of employees who are apprentices;
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Apprentices' own reviews of their experience
For the full list of Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers visitTop Apprenticeship Employers 2026
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
