A recent report has emphasized the importance of revamping apprenticeships for young people.
- Employer support is strong for prioritizing apprenticeship programs for individuals under 25.
- The current Apprenticeship Levy is criticized for shifting focus away from supporting young entrants.
- A significant reduction in youth apprenticeship opportunities has been noted since the Levy’s inception.
- Proposed changes include a flexible skills levy and a youth-specific Apprenticeship Guarantee.
The recent report from the CIPD and Youth Futures Foundation highlights a pressing need to refocus apprenticeship efforts towards young people. The survey involving over 2,000 organizations reflects a strong consensus among employers that apprenticeships should predominantly serve as a gateway for young individuals entering the workforce.
Initially, the Apprenticeship Levy aimed to enhance skill development across the UK workforce. However, evidence suggests that its introduction has inadvertently led employers to misuse the funds. Instead of fostering youth apprenticeships, many have reclassified existing staff training as apprenticeships merely to reclaim levy funds.
This misdirection has contributed to a profound decrease in apprenticeship opportunities for younger demographics. Notably, there has been a 41% decline in apprenticeship starts for individuals under 19 and a 36% decrease for those aged 19 to 24, leading to fewer chances for young people to gain crucial early career experience.
The report also reveals a troubling decline in the number of apprentices coming from the most disadvantaged areas of England following the levy’s implementation. This downturn further highlights the Levy’s failure to meet its social mobility goals.
To rectify these issues, the report proposes several key changes. It advocates for an Apprenticeship Guarantee that ensures every young person up to age 24 has access to a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship. It also calls for transforming the current levy into a flexible skills levy, dedicating at least half of its funding exclusively to apprenticeships for young people.
Additionally, it suggests rejuvenating pre-apprenticeship programs to adequately prepare candidates for success in securing apprenticeships. Strengthening sector bodies and fostering local partnerships are also recommended to address industry-specific skill shortages effectively.
Integral voices in this discourse include Peter Cheese, who emphasizes the necessity of reclaiming apprenticeship paths for youth, and Barry Fletcher, who underlines the international evidence supporting apprenticeships as vital to preparing young people for jobs.
Reforming the apprenticeship framework is critical to improving opportunities for young individuals entering the workforce.
