Marking this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (9–15 February), the Government has announced plans to pilot a university clearance-style system where “near miss” applicants who have failed to secure their top choice apprenticeship will be re-directed to similar opportunities in their area.
With Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, promising to “unlock opportunities for young people across the country”, the aim is to offer a clearer path into apprenticeships and to give employers — particularly small and medium-sized businesses — access to a stronger pipeline of motivated young talent.
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The Government recognises that many young people are keen to explore the apprenticeship route but lack basic information.
It therefore plans to introduce an online platform which will bring together information on apprenticeships in one place including new data showing actual earnings and how apprentices have progressed after completing their training.
These measures will help deliver 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people, the Prime Minister said, forming a key step toward the Government’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to reach higher-level learning or take up a high-quality apprenticeship.
Plans have also been announced for fast‑track apprenticeships to speed up the creation of new courses in order to keep pace with the industries needed for the UK’s growth, including clean energy and advanced manufacturing, digital tech and modern construction.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, said: “Apprenticeships offer young people the opportunity to earn and learn and are a proven route into good jobs but too many young people don’t know enough about them. We’re changing that.”
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