UK Training Industry Sees Shifting Dynamics Amidst Growth
The UK training market experienced a valuation of approximately £4 billion in 2022, following a peak of £7 billion in 2021. This market encompasses expenditures on training programmes, consultants, e-learning solutions, and other related services. Projections indicate continued growth, driven by factors such as the increasing complexity of the workplace, the need for employees to adapt to change, the growing demand for lifelong learning, technological advancements, and widening skills gaps.
Apprenticeship Landscape in England
Apprenticeship starts in England saw a modest increase in the 2023/24 academic year, rising by 0.7% to 339,580 compared to the previous year. This trend continued into the 2024/25 academic year, with starts increasing by 4.1% to 353,500. Participation in apprenticeships also rose, reaching 761,500 in 2024/25, a 3.4% increase from 2023/24. Notably, higher apprenticeships continue their upward trajectory, with starts increasing by 15.1% to 140,730 in 2024/25. These higher-level apprenticeships now account for a significant portion of all starts, representing 36.0% in 2023/24 and 39.8% in 2024/25.
Despite this growth, the overall number of apprenticeship starts in 2023/24 remained 13.7% lower than in 2018/19, indicating a need for sustained effort to boost engagement. The CIPD's 'Learning at Work 2023' report highlighted that addressing the skills gap is the top priority for 29% of learning professionals in the UK. However, there are concerns regarding a lack of priority from business leaders, insufficient capacity, and a general lack of understanding about necessary interventions.
Ireland's Training Sector Responds to Regulatory and Economic Drivers
In Ireland, 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.
Health and Safety Training Remains Critical
Workplace health and safety statistics from both the UK and Ireland underscore the ongoing need for effective training. In Ireland, manual handling continues to be a leading cause of non-fatal workplace injuries. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Annual Review 2025 (covering 2023–2024 data) reported 3,474 incidents related to manual handling, accounting for approximately 33% of all workplace injuries. This highlights manual handling as one of the most common, costly, and preventable risks.
Similarly, in the UK, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) reported that in 2024/25, 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal workplace injury. Manual handling, lifting, and carrying accounted for 17% of these injuries, remaining consistent with the previous year. The total annual cost of injuries and new cases of ill health in the UK was estimated at £22.9 billion for 2023/24. These figures emphasise the critical role of robust risk management, effective training, and comprehensive compliance systems in mitigating both human and financial costs.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see trainer resources and materials or explore train the trainer courses for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
Furthermore, the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has highlighted significant inequalities in CPR training across the UK. Over a third (38%) of UK adults have never undertaken any form of CPR training. This figure is even higher among 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. The RCUK advocates for making CPR training part of driving licence tests to increase widespread knowledge, particularly among those in manual or 'unskilled' occupations who may have less access to workplace training.
Evolving Learning Methodologies and Future Outlook
The training industry is witnessing a shift in delivery methods. While in-person classroom training remains popular, with 80% of learners choosing it in 2024 (a 44% increase from the previous year), there's also a growing embrace of flexible, self-paced learning. E-learning courses have seen an 8% increase from last year, with 70% of respondents focusing on it for the future. Blended learning is also gaining traction, with 59% of providers offering it and 62% expecting to focus on it in the future.
The CIPD's 'Learning at Work 2023' report indicated that while face-to-face learning has seen a rally, the use of digital learning solutions continues to grow overall, with a net increase of 42% in the last year. Collaborative technologies such as webinars, podcasts, and social learning are also growing post-pandemic.
The UK corporate training market is projected to reach USD 29.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.34% during 2026-2034. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for employee upskilling and reskilling, significant technological improvements, and the expanding requirement for compliance and regulatory training. Microlearning, in particular, is experiencing rapid growth in the UK e-learning market, expanding by 18% year-over-year.
These trends highlight a dynamic and evolving training landscape across the UK and Ireland, where both traditional and innovative approaches are being leveraged to meet the diverse needs of the workforce. The continued emphasis on addressing skills gaps, ensuring compliance, and adopting flexible learning solutions will be crucial for the sector's future. Abertay Training (https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk) remains committed to contributing to this evolving landscape by providing high-quality training solutions tailored to industry demands.