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10 September 2026

Foundation apprenticeships can bridge the gap too many young people fall through

Young people need flexible routes into work, not disconnected initiatives that ignore the realities they face
Jennifer Perry Guest Contributor

CEO of Swarm Training CIC

4 min read
|

Cutting youth unemployment takes more than just scattering random, disconnected schemes around. What we actually need is a flexible pathway that meets young people where they are, rather than expecting them to fit into a pre-made box.

Youth unemployment has surged to an 11-year high. We’ve got fresh leadership promising a shake-up to education, but while politicians debate the future, young people are left waiting. A generation is going to lose out while we wait for action. Right now, independent providers and businesses are left trying to handle an economy that feels incredibly flat.

At Swarm Training CIC, we are proud to be partnering with Skilled Futures to support our foundation apprenticeship programme. Filling that gap between standard study programmes and full apprenticeships – a gap far too many young people fall through. Filling that space with something useful, relevant, and valued by learners and employers alike is vital.

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