A recent analysis reveals a significant decline in the number of individuals under the age of 19 embarking on apprenticeships over the last seven years of Conservative governance. According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the initiation rates for under 19s dropped by 26%, while 19-24-year-olds experienced a 15% decrease between 2017 and 2024.
Concurrently, the achievement rates saw a decline of 44% for under 19s and 31% for the 19-24 age group. Additional TUC research indicates that 14.8% of 16-18-year-olds who transitioned from school or college in 2022/23 to work, further education, or training did not complete or continue their endeavors, marking an increase from 12.9% in 2017-18.
The dropout rates were notably higher for young people with special educational needs at 25.9% and those on free school meals at 26.8%. The TUC highlights these statistics as part of an overarching trend of missed opportunities for youth under the 14-year Conservative governance period, emphasizing the urgent need for apprenticeship reforms.
The Labour party’s youth guarantee initiative, aimed at enhancing opportunities for young individuals, has been commended by Keir Starmer. In a recent announcement, Starmer revealed plans to shift focus from a university attendance target to a new objective of having 50% of young people engage in university, further education, or prestigious apprenticeships by age 25.
Furthermore, the government has introduced a new growth and skills levy to replace the existing apprenticeship levy and introduce foundation apprenticeships. This levy aims to provide funding for shorter apprenticeships, offering increased flexibility in training for both learners and employers compared to the current system.
The TUC has urged policymakers to expand the reach of the new levy in the upcoming Budget, advocating for its extension to more than the current 2% of employers. This move is expected to incentivize increased investment in training and apprentice recruitment, which could benefit both the workforce and address youth unemployment challenges.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak emphasized the importance of investing in youth opportunities, citing the nearly one million young people currently disconnected from work, education, and training as a concerning trend for the country and economy. He praised Labour’s efforts in initiating positive changes but stressed the necessity for further apprenticeship reforms to provide meaningful work experiences and combat rising rates of worklessness effectively.