Apprenticeship starts plummet in Q1 of academic year

The needs of employers and further education providers must be reflected in any skills and training reforms, business leaders said today.

It comes as new figures reveal apprenticeship starts in the West Midlands plummeted by 26.1 per cent to 10,200 in the first quarter of the 2020-21 academic year.

And the national figures paint a similar picture, with apprenticeship starts down to 91,100 from August to October, compared to 125,800 reported for the same period in 2019-20.

Across the country, higher apprenticeships increased by 1.3 per cent although there was a 3.1 per cent decrease in the West Midlands compared to the same period last year.

Apprenticeship starts decreased most significantly among younger learners. In Q1 of this academic year, apprentices aged Under 19 accounted for just 23,800 starts (26.1% of total starts), compared to 40,700 (or 32.2%) in the same period in 2019/20.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the West Midlands Claimant Unemployment Count for young people aged 18-24 fell by 0.9 per cent in December - having hit its highest level since 2011 during September.

Nonetheless, youth unemployment across the region has increased by 78.4 per cent since March 2020.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce says the Government must act upon the needs of businesses and further education employers if initiatives such as those in the Skills for Jobs White Paper are to make a meaningful impact.

Emily Stubbs (pictured), policy and patron advisor at the Chamber, said: “Since the first UK lockdown we have seen a plummet in apprenticeship starts, particularly effecting young learners.

“The Government must ensure that policy interventions, including those outlined in the recent Skills for Jobs White Paper, reflect the needs of both FE providers and businesses, and are enacted swiftly with the adequate resources to make a meaningful difference.

“Apprenticeships are a key means of upskilling and retraining individuals and a crucial first step into employment for many young people.

“During the upcoming National Apprenticeship Week we are working with BMet College to deliver a free webinar demystifying apprenticeships and showcasing some of the huge impacts apprentices have had on local firms. I encourage interested readers to book their place now. ”

Click here to register for Demystifying Apprenticeships, taking place on 11 February 12.30pm to 1.30pm.