Navigating the Evolving Landscape of UK and Irish Training
The training industries across the UK and Ireland are undergoing dynamic transformations, characterised by sustained growth, a heightened focus on lifelong learning, and a proactive response to evolving skill requirements. Reports from various regulatory bodies and market research firms highlight key trends and challenges shaping the sector in 2024 and 2025.
UK Training Market Sees Growth Amidst Evolving Demands
The UK training market, valued at approximately £4 billion in 2022, is projected to continue its upward trajectory. This expansion is largely fuelled by increasing workplace complexity, the imperative for continuous employee adaptation, and persistent skills gaps. The demand for lifelong learning is also a significant driver.
Apprenticeships in England have shown a modest increase, with starts rising by 0.7% in the 2023/24 academic year to 339,580, and a further 4.1% increase to 353,500 in 2024/25. Participation also saw a 3.4% rise, reaching 761,500 in 2024/25. Notably, higher apprenticeships are gaining significant traction, increasing by 15.1% to 140,730 in 2024/25 and now constituting 39.8% of all starts. Despite this recent growth, overall apprenticeship starts in 2023/24 remained 13.7% lower than in 2018/19, indicating a need for sustained engagement efforts. Addressing the skills gap remains a top priority for 29% of UK learning professionals, as highlighted by the CIPD's 'Learning at Work 2023' report.
However, employer investment in training continues to be a concern. The latest Employment and Skills Survey for 2024, published in November 2025, indicates a concerning trend of falling employer spending on training, down nearly 20% in 2024 prices since 2011, and a 30% decrease in expenditure per employee since 2011. Four in ten employers offer no training at all, and for those that do train, half state they do enough. Compared to their EU counterparts, UK employers spend half the EU average on training per person.
Irish Training Sector Driven by Regulatory Needs and Upskilling Initiatives
Ireland is demonstrating a strong commitment to lifelong learning, with participation rates increasing to 16% in Q4 2024, surpassing the National Skills Strategy target of 15% for 2025. Nearly 458,000 adults aged 25-64 engaged in formal or non-formal learning activities in Q4 2024, marking the highest number to date. The demand for QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer qualifications has surged, with training providers reporting a 40% increase in enrolments over the past two years. This rise is attributed to businesses seeking to reduce costs, improve training consistency, and meet increasingly stringent compliance requirements.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) certification data for 2023 shows a continued recovery from the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. The number of learners attaining QQI awards increased from 2022. In 2023, 96% of registered QQI providers were active, certifying awards. FET awards saw a 13% increase from 2022, with 181,754 awards, while HE awards increased by 3%, totalling 12,967. A record number of over 400,000 FET places were taken up in Ireland in 2024, representing significant growth and demand for FET, apprenticeships, and construction skills training. Skillnet Ireland's 2024 Annual Report also highlights increased participation in digital and sustainability upskilling, with 14,711 workers benefiting from digital skills programmes (a 16% increase) and 7,720 workers upskilled for the green economy (a 7% increase).
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see train the trainer courses or explore online fire safety training for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
Health and Safety Training Remains Critical Across Both Nations
Health and safety training continues to be a vital component of the training industry in both the UK and Ireland. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain reported 124 worker fatalities in work-related accidents in 2024/25, with annual costs of workplace injury in 2023/24 reaching £6.5 billion. In the construction industry, there is an average of 54,000 injuries per year, with construction making up around 20% of fatalities in the workplace in the whole of the UK. Slips, trips, or falls accounted for 30% of non-fatal injuries.
In Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reported 43 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2023. Farming accounted for 16 fatalities, and the construction sector for 11 fatalities, together representing over two-thirds of all fatalities in 2023. The leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2023 were working with vehicles (13 fatalities) and falling from height (11 fatalities). The HSA recorded 10,441 non-fatal workplace incidents in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023. The construction sector saw a 25% year-on-year increase in reported injuries in 2024, with 1,847 non-fatal injuries, the highest level since 2008. Falls from height remain the most common cause of serious injury in construction, accounting for 34% of incidents.
Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) research highlights worrying gaps in CPR training across the UK. Over a third (38%) of UK adults have never undertaken any form of CPR training. Disparities exist across ethnic minority groups, with almost 6 in 10 (59%) reporting a lack of CPR skills and knowledge, and only 22% having received training in the last decade. In Northern Ireland, only 55% of people have received CPR training. RCUK is advocating for CPR training to be part of driving licence tests to address these disparities.
These statistics underscore the ongoing need for comprehensive and accessible training programmes to ensure workplace safety and enhance public health preparedness across both the UK and Ireland. Abertay Training, committed to providing high-quality training solutions, continues to play a vital role in addressing these critical training needs across various sectors. More information can be found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.