Two readers have written to respond to an article about the low uptake of apprenticeship schemes, calling for the system to be made more accessible and for expanded provision, particularly in technical fields.
Confusing system blocks young people
Dr Gillian McIver from London said she agrees with the Fabian Society’s finding that many people struggle to access apprenticeships because the system is so confusing. The original article reported that only 160 apprenticeship starts were recorded in eight months on Labour’s flagship scheme.
In her work in youth employment, McIver said students often tell her they do not want to go to university and want to pursue an apprenticeship instead, but finding suitable opportunities is extremely difficult. Even with specialist staff available to help them, navigating the process remains challenging, so it is hard to see how young people are expected to manage it independently.
“We need far more apprenticeships in all fields, but especially in technical ones, and expanding provision would benefit employers as well as young people,” she said. She added that the system is labyrinthine and many employers do not appear to be fully up to speed with how it works or what support is available. She asked how the process could be simplified to make apprenticeships accessible.
Call for a Future Jobs Fund-style scheme
Don Macdonald from London said what politicians and civil servants fail to understand about the low take-up of apprenticeships is how bad the situation became under the Conservatives. Youth services were decimated, young people’s work opportunities and expectations were squeezed, and the voluntary sector was allowed to wither.
He said what is needed is something like the Future Jobs Fund, which created real jobs in community organisations, provided positive work experience and developed relevant skills. It was not cheap, but between 2009 and 2011, the scheme generated a net societal benefit of around £7,750 per participant.
