Youth Futures Foundation responds to Government announcements on employment support and apprenticeship reform

“We welcome the Government’s focus and investment in tackling the growing and stubborn youth unemployment and inactivity challenge. With one in eight young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), these measures present an ambitious and comprehensive package to reform the system and support more young people into earning or learning.

“Today’s announcement on rebalancing the apprenticeship system to create more opportunities for young people, supported by £725m through the Growth and Skills Levy, responds to a real need given the sharp decline in youth apprenticeships over the last decade. Evidence consistently shows the impact that apprenticeships and vocational pathways can have in supporting marginalised young people into sustained employment.

“This follows yesterday’s announcement of £820m of investment for a wider employment support approach, with different support pathway options including work experience, workplace training and guaranteed subsidised jobs with wrap- around support. Taken together with the expansion of Youth Hubs, and recent announcements on supporting better transitions from school, the package across education, employment and skills presents a real opportunity to embark on a more comprehensive and needed system response, informed by the best evidence.

“Crucially, these reforms, including the Jobs Guarantee, are grounded in evidence of what works and centre the young person’s journey through the employment system. We are particularly pleased that youth voice has informed these proposals through our role co-convening the youth advisory panel alongside Youth Employment UK.

“There will be important work to do to build on these promising initiatives in the coming years. The focus of the Youth Guarantee on those claiming Universal Credit means ‘inactive’ young people who are not claiming benefits risk missing out on support without dedicated outreach. In addition, those facing the greatest barriers, such as care-experienced young people, also require more targeted investment and interventions.

“Taken collectively, however, this new package represents a promising step towards an integrated, evidence-led and system-wide approach to reducing and preventing youth unemployment. As we continue to move forward, including engaging with the Investigation into Young People and Work led by Alan Milburn, the Government has laid important foundations for a more coherent system, based on what works, that can give young people better futures, and support long-term economic prosperity.”

Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation