Apprenticeships ‘failing those who need them most’

The apprenticeship system in England is failing those who need it most, according to the latest report from the Social Mobility Commission.

The report asserts that apprenticeships offer one of the best tools available for social mobility, providing “enhanced career earnings, continued education and richer, more fulfilled working lives”. But a foreword by the commission’s interim co-chairs says that “the system is not working”.

It reveals that the apprenticeship levy, introduced in 2017, has disproportionately funded higher-level apprenticeships for learners from more advantaged communities, rather than those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, who would benefit more.

And, it says “disadvantage gaps exist at every stage of the apprenticeship journey, from initial selection of candidates by employers to the quality of training disadvantaged apprentices get.”

Kevin Rowan, director of the TUC’s learning wing, unionlearn, said the government should allow employers to use the funds from the apprenticeship levy system for “innovative pre-apprenticeships programmes to engage people from disadvantaged groups”.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-and-social-mobility-fulfilling-potential