The purpose of this research was to investigate young people’s experiences of apprenticeships in England and Wales.
The Government is working to oversee a rapid expansion of the apprenticeship system in an attempt to help young people gain the necessary skills to enter into the workplace and progress in their chosen career.
However, despite the political capital afforded to them, in many cases, apprenticeships continue to be seen as a ‘second class’ option for young people, and for others, not an option at all, echoing wider public perceptions.
Addressing these weaknesses requires quality to be embedded into the system. It requires a partnership between different stakeholders and it requires the needs of young people being met.
Accordingly, based on the views and experiences of the young people participating in this research, YMCA is recommending:
- Providing improved access to specialist careers advice and information relating to apprenticeships
- Extending work experience opportunities to better prepare young people for apprenticeships
- Developing further campaigns to promote apprenticeships in schools and colleges
- Embedding designated and structured study time within an apprentice’s working hours
- Facilitating young people to develop their functional skills alongside their apprenticeship
- Offering targeted discounts to young apprentices to help with basic living costs
- Ensuring apprentices are appropriately remunerated for the work they undertake
- Highlighting the financial benefits to young people undertaking an apprenticeship.
The findings from this research are set out in the Work in Progress Report.
Also available to download is a Work in Progress Executive Summary.
Read our press release on Work in Progress
Find out about Carlie’s apprenticeship journey
Read our blog and let us know what you think on Twitter and Facebook.
If you want to find out more about this research or if you have a query please contact our Policy team on policy@ymca.org.uk