Labour apprenticeship scheme falls short of youth employment targets

A report by the Fabian Society has warned that the Labour government’s flagship apprenticeship scheme is failing to meet its targets. The program, designed to combat youth unemployment, recorded only 160 starts in its first eight months between August 2025 and April. This figure falls significantly short of the government's goal to achieve 30,000 foundation apprenticeship starts by the end of the current parliament.

The foundation apprenticeships were introduced as part of radical skills reforms aimed at supporting the nearly 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 who are currently not in employment, education, or training (NEET). These roles are intended to be paid positions with a minimum of eight months of mandatory training.

While overall apprenticeship enrollments in England rose by 9% to approximately 308,000 during the same period, the demographic breakdown shows a shift. More than half of all apprenticeships are now taken by individuals over the age of 25, while those under 19 account for only one-fifth of starts. The Fabian Society noted that apprenticeship starts among those under 25 have declined by approximately 40% compared to a decade ago, representing a significant drop among advanced economies.