The government has announced that 120,000 new training opportunities are set to become available, including 30,000 new apprenticeship places starting before the end of the current parliament.
Construction, health and social care, engineering and the digital sector are among those set to benefit the most from the new opportunities.
The budget for investment in foundation apprenticeships has also exceeded £3 billion for the first time, with £250 million of additional funding earmarked for skills bootcamps and technical college programmes in a variety of sectors.
This includes £14 million of funding to support adult education to mayoral authorities to support up to 5,000 new learners, £100 million for construction skills bootcamps and £136 million for bootcamps in other priority sectors.
The government has also promised £160 million of investment in further education providers this year to enable the recruitment of specialist teachers.
The announcement comes following data from the ONS showing that one in eight 18 to 24 year olds in some areas are classed as NEET’s, those not in employment, education or training, and that there has been a significant drop off in the number of apprentices over the last decade.
To combat the rise in NEET’s, the government will also refocus resources away from Level 7 (higher or masters-level) apprenticeships in favour of positions for younger people, where they argue the funding will have the greatest impact.
In response, Shadow Education Minister Neil O’Brien criticised the decision to reprioritise foundation over higher apprenticeships, arguing this will compound damage to employers already done by the increase in national insurance.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “A skilled workforce is the key to steering the economy forward, and today we’re backing the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive.
“When we invest in skills for young people, we invest in a shared, stronger economic future – creating opportunities as part of our Plan for Change.
“But everyone has a role to play in a thriving economy, and we’re taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment, it’s now the responsibility of young people to take them.”
Many organisations have responded positively to the announcement. Milton Walcott, HSEQ Manager at construction company Complete Fixing Solutions Ltd said: “I am excited to see the government’s focus on expanding apprenticeships and skills training for young people.
“The introduction of Foundation Apprenticeships is a great step forward in helping young people build the skills they need for the future.”
Sarah Yong, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Youth Futures Foundation said: “International evidence shows apprenticeships are a highly impactful way to support young people to prepare for and access jobs, yet participation among under-25s, especially the most marginalised, has declined in recent years.
“With stubbornly high youth unemployment and inactivity, rebalancing the apprenticeship system can encourage investment in youth apprenticeships and is a first step in enabling more young people to access good work.”
The new investment comes after the government announced a 32 per cent increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, a fee paid by sponsors when they give sponsorships to migrants applying for visas to work in the UK.
The government intends for this to reduce employer reliance on migrant workers in priority sectors, instead improving the skills of the domestic workforce as outlined in the recent Immigration White Paper.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential for this change in approach to make recruitment harder in sectors with a large proportion of workers from overseas such as health and social care.
Responding to the Immigration White Paper, Chief Executive of NHS Employers Danny Mortimer said: “Social care and health leaders will be concerned about the risk that these proposed changes to immigration rules pose to vital social care provision.
“International workers play a crucial role in delivering these important services across the country.”
Featured image via Lauren Hurley / No10 on Flickr.
Author: Angus Coleman.
