NSAFD responds to the defunding of Leadership and Management Apprenticeships

The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) has issued a response following the government’s decision to defund several higher‑level leadership and management apprenticeship standards.

These programmes - including Team Leader, Operations Manager and Chartered Manager - have been widely used across food and drink manufacturing to develop supervisors, first‑line managers and future leaders. Their removal represents a significant shift in the apprenticeship landscape at a time when the sector is facing acute productivity, skills and workforce pressures.

CEO, Louise Cairns, says:

“Food manufacturers across the UK will be deeply concerned by the sudden defunding of successful higher-level apprenticeship standards in leadership and management.

At a time when our sector is under intense pressure to improve productivity, drive innovation and strengthen supply chain resilience, access to high-quality management training is not a ‘nice to have’ - it is essential. These programmes have provided a proven route for developing the skilled leaders needed to support growth, competitiveness and long-term sustainability within food and drink manufacturing.

While we recognise the challenging fiscal environment and support the ambition to broaden participation in skills and education, this must not come at the expense of pathways that demonstrably deliver value for employers, employees and the wider economy.

Food manufacturers must be empowered to make full and flexible use of their levy contributions to invest in the real-world leadership and operational capabilities that directly impact performance on the factory floor and beyond.

As employment costs rise and economic pressures intensify, employers are seeking early reassurance from the Government that they will be able to use their Levy funding more flexibly. In particular, they want to invest in alternative training routes - such as high-quality short courses and modular apprenticeship units - to address urgent gaps in management and leadership skills.

For any new shorter courses to be effective, close collaboration will be essential. Employers, training providers, and professional bodies must work together to co-design programmes that deliver meaningful upskilling and support the UK workforce during a period of rapid change and transformation".

NSAFD will continue to work closely with government, providers and employers to ensure that any replacement pathways are practical, high‑quality and aligned to the real skills needs of food and drink manufacturing.