Young people hit hard as Government figures show apprenticeship starts are likely to be 46% down this year

Today (8 October), new Government provisional figures on monthly apprenticeship starts and apprenticeship service commitments were announced. They revealed that apprenticeship starts were likely to be 46 per cent lower than the same period in 2019, with a staggering 68 per cent drop in the apprenticeship starts for under 19s.

The HomeServe Foundation, a not-for-profit arm of leading home repairs company HomeServe Plc, has launched with the goal of dramatically increasing the number of apprentices in the construction, home improvements and repairs sector to 25,000 by 2023.

In reaction to this announcement, Helen Booth, Director of The HomeServe Foundation said:

“The dramatic drop in new apprenticeships this year demonstrates exactly why we need action now.  

“Last week we saw the Government pledge to expand apprenticeships and reform the system to give more young people access to high quality, practical on-the-job skills training. This was welcome and much needed, but we also need more to happen, as so many futures depend on it. For example, we’d like to see unspent levy funds targeted to where they are needed most – into increased incentives for small businesses that need financial support to take on and train young apprentices. 

“Our own research in the trades sector suggests by increasing financial support to around £7,000 for small plumbing and heating firms, for example, the Government could tip the balance and help create a much-needed boost to the sector and for young people seeking employment. With furlough ending soon, Brexit on the horizon, and demand for trade skills high and rising, this is something that could have an incredibly positive take-up in the near term. 

“It’s critical that we will continue to push for the Government to take action to invest in future skills in order to support this route to employment and create more apprenticeships to help support the country’s economic recovery.”