Apprenticeships Failing Young People

The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission has found that the UK government’s apprenticeships initiative is not delivering for under-25s. While overall starts have surged, growth is driven almost entirely by adults aged 25 and over, leaving youth enrolments effectively stagnant.

Stagnant Youth Enrolments vs. Growth Among Adults

Between 2010 and 2014, apprenticeship starts for under-25s rose by just 4%, compared with a 17% rise for those over 25. In fact:

• Under-19 starts fell by over 5,000 (2014/15 vs. 2010/11).
• 19–24 starts dropped by around 1,000 (2014/15 vs. 2011/12).

If current trends continue, adult participation will keep rising while youth apprenticeship starts flatline or decline further.

Mismatch Between Study Level and Apprenticeship Level

The report highlights that the vast majority of young apprentices are studying at a level below their previous education:

• 68% of A-level–age apprentices are on GCSE-equivalent programmes.
• 98% of degree-age apprentices are on A-level–equivalent or lower courses.

Additionally, many youth starts are concentrated in sectors with lower pay and limited progression, such as construction skills and hairdressing.

The report said many apprenticeships were in low-pay sectors such as hairdressing.

Recommendations and Government Response

Commission chair Alan Milburn warns that current apprenticeships “don’t offer young people a foundation they can build on” and calls for:

• Higher quality standards for all youth apprenticeships.
• Clear progression routes that truly lead to skilled employment.
• Greater focus on sectors with strong career prospects.

The government has pledged an extra £25 million to recruit 16–18-year-olds and maintain its target of three million apprenticeships by 2020. A spokesperson stated: “Our reforms mean apprenticeships are more rigorously tested, last longer and are more responsive to employer needs.”

Related Articles:

• National Living Wage: 1.7M Self-Employed to Miss Out – Think Tank
• UNISON Chief: Over 200,000 Care Workers Paid Less Than Minimum Wage