Only 160 apprenticeship starts in eight months on Labour’s flagship scheme
Exclusive: Government warned ‘skills revolution’ at risk amid slow start to project with target of 30,000 starts by end of parliament Labour has been warned its “skills revolution” to tackle youth unemployment risks failure, after its flagship apprenticeship scheme enrolled only 160 young people in its first eight months. The shortfall, highlighted in a report by the Fabian Society, leaves the…
Only 160 apprenticeship starts have taken place in eight months under Labour's flagship scheme, according to a report by the Fabian Society. The government aimed to reach 30,000 starts by the end of the parliament, but it is now significantly off track. The scheme, launched in May 2024, offers paid jobs for young adults with attached training for at least eight months.
Despite a 9% increase in apprenticeship enrollments across England, under-25s remain 40% below their numbers from a decade ago, placing the UK at a risk of a "lost generation" of young people. Experts call for a £311m-a-year regional apprenticeship fund and a redesign of foundation apprenticeships to support more young people entering skilled work.
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