An apprenticeship is supposed to give a young person a strong start in work. But redundancy can abruptly end that journey. Too often, apprentices are left without support, losing not only their income but also the chance to finish what they started and gain valuable skills.
I know this from personal experience. My employment contract ended before my apprenticeship was complete, and my employer refused to extend it. Experiences like this highlight a gap in support that needs addressing.
Scotland found a solution to this problem with its Adopt an Apprentice scheme. The programme, run by Skills Development Scotland on behalf of the Scottish government, was part of a £10 million effort to recruit and retain apprentices. It offered financial support of up to £5,000 to employers willing to take on apprentices who had been made redundant. It became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping young people continue their training when businesses were closing or scaling back.
The impact was significant. While the grant was active, nearly half of redundant apprentices were able to carry on with a new employer. And over 75 per cent went to businesses that accessed the grant. Once the scheme ended in 2023 continuation rates fell to just a third, highlighting the difference the programme made.
England’s apprenticeship challenge
England faces a similar challenge. Within the last five years, an average of 3,896 apprentices were made redundant each year. Nearly two-fifths of them were under 19. Supporting them through a grant scheme like Scotland’s would not only allow them to complete their qualification, but also reduce the risk of them becoming NEET, one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
The government already has ambitious goals around tackling youth unemployment and building a skills-first economy. Apprenticeships are central to that vision. But those ambitions will fall short if young people lose their jobs and slip through the cracks. A scheme like Scotland’s would not only safeguard apprenticeships, but also align with national priorities on reducing NEET figures, increasing social mobility and meeting labour market needs. By enabling apprentices to finish their training, England would be making a practical investment in its workforce, supporting both immediate recovery and long-term economic resilience.
The economic benefits are clear. Research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows that every £1 spent on apprenticeships generates £21 for the economy. Based on recent redundancy figures, a grant scheme could enable 531 additional apprentices to complete their training each year. With the median public cost per apprentice in 2020 at £7,058, according to a report for IfATE (now Skills England), supporting these extra apprentices could conservatively add nearly £78.7 million to the UK economy annually, outweighing the £3.74 million annual cost based on latest publicly available data.
However, a grant alone cannot solve the problem. We must prevent apprentices being made redundant in the first place. Employers should be encouraged and supported to retain them wherever possible. The grant should act as a safety net, helping apprentices who are affected by unavoidable disruptions such as business closures or economic shocks.
A fair chance
Scotland’s experience shows that relatively modest investment can protect apprentices, support employers, and deliver tangible economic value. England has similar redundancy rates and the same opportunity. Introducing an Adopt an Apprentice-style grant, alongside stronger retention incentives, would shield apprenticeships from disruption, secure skilled workers for businesses, and give young people the fair chance they deserve to complete their training.
Learning about Scotland’s programme has reinforced for me how much better things could be in England. We cannot afford to waste the potential of thousands of young people each year when a proven solution exists just across the border.
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