Apprenticeships are paid jobs that last from one to five years, with both on- and off-the-job training, designed to give the learner occupational competence.
They provide an important career pathway for young people aged 16 and over to gain the skills and experience they need to enter and flourish in the labour market. They also provide an alternative, more vocational route to a career for young people who may struggle academically and for whom university education is not possible or desirable.
There are seven levels of apprenticeships, with level 2 (known as intermediate) having the equivalent standing as a GCSE and level 3 (advanced) equivalent to an A level. Levels 4-7 (higher) have the same standing as a foundation degree with levels 6-7 being equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
The National Foundation for Educational Research estimates that disadvantaged young people with an apprenticeship qualification earn, on average, over 10 per cent more by the age of 28 than those holding an equivalent qualification.
After declining in popularity following the expansion of university education in the 1990s, successive governments have, over the past decade, sought to raise the profile and appeal of apprenticeships with major policy and funding initiatives. Despite this there has been a steady decline in the number of new apprenticeships since 2015, with this being particularly marked among young people.
CYP Now’s special report on youth apprenticeships summarises key recent policy developments, gathers the views of experts about what can be done to reverse the decline in young people starting placements and profiles projects delivering good practice in supporting young apprentices.
Read more in CYP Now's youth apprenticeships special report:
-
Key policy developments
-
The Big Debate: Is the apprentice system failing disadvantaged young people?
-
Key data: Trends in youth apprenticeships
