Only 160 apprenticeship starts as government’s skills scheme struggles to take off

Labour’s plan to boost apprenticeships and tackle youth unemployment has hit an early snag, with just 160 foundation apprenticeship starts in the first eight months. The government had aimed for 30,000 by the end of the parliament, while around one in eight young people are currently not in employment, education or training. The Fabian Society argues that the apprenticeship system is too complicated, with only 24% of employers reporting good knowledge of T-levels. It proposes using £311m a year to expand apprenticeships, including subsidies covering half the wage cost for young apprentices – potentially making training a little less of a hard sell for employers.

Only 160 apprenticeship starts in eight months on Labour’s flagship scheme | Apprenticeships | The Guardian

1. Explain how increased participation in apprenticeships could improve the quality of the UK’s labour force.

2. Using the information in the article, examine how a lack of information may reduce participation in apprenticeships.

3. Discuss the view that government intervention is the most effective way to reduce youth unemployment in the UK.