A recent analysis revealed a significant drop in the number of apprenticeships started by individuals under 19 years old over the last seven years of Conservative governance. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) reported a 26% decline in apprenticeship start rates for under 19s and a 15% decrease for 19-24-year-olds between 2017 and 2024.
Moreover, the TUC highlighted a 44% decrease in achievement rates for under 19s and a 31% decline for 19-24-year-olds during the same period. The TUC’s separate analysis indicated that 14.8% of 16-18-year-olds who transitioned from school or college to work, further education, or training in 2022/23 did not complete or continue their endeavors, marking an increase from 12.9% in 2017-18.
Notably, the dropout rate for young people with special educational needs stood at 25.9%, while it was even higher at 26.8% for those on free school meals. The TUC emphasized that these statistics reflect a broader trend of missed opportunities for young individuals under the Tories’ 14-year rule and advocated for urgent apprenticeship reforms.
Labour’s youth guarantee initiative, as part of their efforts to address the shortcomings of the previous government, was commended by the TUC. Labour leader Keir Starmer has prioritized enhancing opportunities for young people, shifting focus from a university attendance target to a new goal where 50% of youth would pursue university, further education, or high-quality apprenticeships by age 25.
In a move to bolster apprenticeship programs, the Government announced a new growth and skills levy to replace the existing apprenticeship levy and introduce foundation apprenticeships. This initiative aims to provide more flexibility for learners and employers in training programs compared to the current system.
Looking ahead, the TUC urged ministers to expand the reach of the new levy in the upcoming Budget to incentivize more employers to invest in training and hire apprentices, ultimately benefiting both the workforce and addressing youth unemployment. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak expressed concern over the nearly one million young people disconnected from employment, education, and training, emphasizing the need for significant reforms in apprenticeship programs to ensure a brighter future for the country and economy.