Apprenticeship schemes not lowering young unemployment levels

News Article - 16 November 2011
Category: Business

A report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) indicates the nation's apprenticeship schemes are not helping enough of the country's young unemployed back into the workplace.

The study reveals Government funding is being used largely to help employers train workers over the age of 25.

Just 37,000 of the 126,000 extra apprenticeships created in 2010 were handed to unemployed aged between 16 and 24.

Nick Pearce, IPPR director, said: "Apprenticeships can help young people break out of the unemployment trap by offering additional general education, the chance to learn the soft skills that employers often demand, and specific job-related training.

"But employers have become increasingly reluctant to hire school leavers. Employers need more support to set up apprenticeship programmes, particularly when they are hiring apprentices for the first time."

Mr Pearce believes the best way to support employers is for the Government to provide more direct funding to employers rather than through training providers.

A spokesman for the Department for Education has revealed concern for the number of 16-18-year-olds not in education employment or training (NEET), despite the overall figure declining.

He said: "The figures show that the number of 16-18-year-olds not in education, employment or training continues to fall - but the number of teenagers who are NEET is still too high.

"We want every 16 and 17-year-old to achieve, which is why we are increasing apprenticeships and transforming vocational qualifications.

"We're raising the participation age to 18 by 2015 - whether that be full-time education in a school or college, an apprenticeship or full-time work or volunteering with part-time training alongside it."

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can adopt HR software for their business to take care of acquiring apprentices and trainee employees. This is particularly attractive as it provides all parties, from HR departments to applicants, with streamlined support for every aspect of the employee lifecycle.

Article keywords: ippr, Institute for Public Policy Research, department for ed

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