Traineeships help more young people to access apprenticeships and jobs

Traineeships are a flexible education and training programme aimed at helping young people aged 16- 24 to prepare for an apprenticeship or work.

New research published today highlights how traineeships are benefiting young people and employers across the country. Findings show that more than 75% of trainees get a job, take up an apprenticeship or go on to further study within a year of completing their programme.

Employers including global professional services firm Aon have also reported how traineeships have helped them to recruit people from a range of backgrounds leading to more diverse workforces.

The Government has also announced today that it will introduce a new achievement rate measure for education and training providers for the academic year 2019/20.  The new measure will help the Government to monitor the effectiveness of the traineeship programme and will also help young people make informed decisions about their futures.

Anne Milton, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister said:

“We want people of all ages and backgrounds to have the opportunity to learn new skills and go to have successful careers. Traineeships are a great way of doing this by giving young people the chance to gain the skills and confidence they need to progress.

“I’m thrilled that this report shows how traineeships are supporting young people to start their apprenticeship journey, get their first job or go to further study.

“This new measure we have launched today will also provide greater transparency and help young people make informed decisions about their next steps.” 

Mark Dawe, Chief Executive, Association of Employment and Learning Providers said:

“This announcement represents a very positive step towards reinvigorating traineeships in terms of encouraging more young people to take advantage of a programme that has a proven track-record for progression.  AELP particularly welcomes the separate measurements of achievement confirming the programme’s original objectives of progression into an apprenticeship, job or further education.  In the light of this, we will be urging providers to seriously take a fresh look at traineeships with a view to increasing the number of opportunities available”.  

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges said:

“AoC is pleased that the government continues to support pre-apprenticeship programmes such as Traineeships. It is important that we do not lose the stepping stone programmes that allow people to progress to the levels of competence that employers are seeking. These changes will help recognise the many positive outcomes from Traineeships which colleges are helping to achieve.”

To encourage more young people aged 19-24 to start a traineeship, the Government is also providing £20 million through the Adult Education Budget for further education and training providers.

Traineeships form part of the Government’s work to make sure people of all ages and backgrounds can get the skills they need to progress in their careers. This includes working with leading employers to create more high-quality apprenticeships opportunities and introducing new T Levels from 2020 – the technical equivalent to A Levels.