Decline in the number of deprived young people training as apprentices

In August 2020 to January 2021, the number of under 19s starting an apprenticeship in England was a third lower than before the pandemic, and less than half the level of new starters in 2015 to 2016.

The report calls for ‘urgent action’ to ensure that disadvantaged young people interested in apprenticeships - and whose prospects have already been impacted by Covid - do not suffer a second educational blow.

It also highlights how apprenticeship opportunities for young people from deprived backgrounds have been disproportionately impacted by recent reforms to the apprenticeship system, even before the pandemic.

Jenna Julius, report author and Senior Economist at NFER, said, ‘Apprenticeships have the potential to act as a vehicle for social mobility for young people, but our new report shows that over the last decade, those who are disadvantaged are increasingly being crowded out of the apprenticeship system.

‘The pandemic has had a particularly significant impact on the lives of young people, and we have to ensure that they do not suffer a second educational blow. It is essential we re-consider elements of the design of the current apprenticeship system to ensure those hardest hit can access apprenticeship opportunities.’