Commenting on the Government’s announcement of 50,000 new youth apprenticeships, Jude Hillary, NFER’s Co-Head of Policy and Practice, said:
"This announcement comes at a critical time, with nearly one million young people currently not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
“We know that sustained periods of being NEET have long-term consequences for individuals, society, and the wider economy, making timely action essential.
“Reforms to the apprenticeship system over the past decade have contributed to a more than 40 per cent decline in starts. Our research shows this decline has fallen disproportionately on young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Given the strong economic case for apprenticeships – consistently associated with positive labour-market outcomes for young people – investment in this area is both necessary and welcome.
“The Government’s focus on supporting more young people back into work and into apprenticeships represents a step in the right direction, but the devil is in the detail. More clarity is needed on how these reforms will be implemented and how the Government’s ambitions will be realised in practice.
“As new initiatives such as Foundation Apprenticeships are developed, it is essential they are designed within the wider apprenticeship system and offer clear, coherent, progression routes. Sector concerns about the blurring of lines between Foundation and Intermediate apprenticeships underline the need for clarity and alignment.
“More broadly, policy must focus not just on boosting apprenticeships starts, but also on ensuring quality and improving completion rates. It also remains to be seen how far the new measures will encourage employers to take on young people facing multiple barriers. Young people – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds- continue to face significant challenges in accessing apprenticeships, including transport costs and the impact on household income, such as the loss of child benefit.”