Minimum wage makes 16-year-old apprentices too pricey to employ With apprenticeship starts for young people at historic lows, it’s time to consider that well-intentioned policy decisions may have stripped teenagers of opportunities
Apprenticeships and Training Awards winners 2026 revealed Nineteen organisations named award-winners for exceptional work in training apprentices
Reeves hints at more NEET reforms in spring statement Estimates of young people out of work and training grew by 11,000 to 957,000 in the last three months of 2025.
Level 2 admin apprenticeship sign off delayed again Employers hope the standard will be available for delivery from this autumn after 6 years of lobbying
Stop relying on day release to achieve apprenticeship growth Structured block release of learners creates momentum, cohesion and results that day release can’t match
Apprenticeship reform may save money now but cost growth later Ministers’ proposals risk undermining leadership development, training infrastructure and employer engagement. A tiered co-investment model offers a smarter way forward
Apprenticeship reform risks solving the wrong problems Ministers want faster routes into work for young people, but defunding leadership apprenticeships and tinkering with clearing systems won’t create vacancies
As SEND needs rise, apprenticeships face an inclusion reality check New ILR data shows a sharp rise in apprentices requiring additional learning support, leaving providers at risk of being judged on inclusion without being resourced to deliver it
Apprenticeships were never just for the young – history proves it As ministers rethink apprenticeship funding, they risk forgetting a simple truth: apprenticeships were designed for mastery, not youth unemployment statistics