New exclusive analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has laid bare a dramatic collapse in apprenticeship opportunities for young people during the final years of Conservative government.
A Steep Decline in Starts and Completions
The data reveals a stark picture of failed opportunities. Between 2017 and 2024, the number of under-19s starting apprenticeships in England fell by more than a quarter (26%). For young adults aged 19 to 24, the decline was also significant at 15%.
The situation was even more dire when examining achievement rates. The proportion of under-19s successfully completing their apprenticeships plummeted by a shocking 44% in the same period. For the 19-24 age group, achievement rates fell by 31%.
Wider Trend of Educational Disengagement
Separate TUC analysis highlights a broader trend of young people disengaging from education and training. Of the 16–18-year-olds who left school or college in the 2022/23 academic year to enter work, further education, or training, 14.8% did not complete or continue their chosen path. This marks a rise from 12.9% in 2017-18.
The figures were disproportionately worse for the most vulnerable groups. For young people with special educational needs, the drop-out rate reached 25.9%. For those eligible for free school meals, a key indicator of economic disadvantage, the rate was even higher at 26.8%.
Labour's New Direction and Industry Demands
The TUC states this data is emblematic of a wider trend of failed opportunities that characterised the 14 years of Tory rule. The union collective is now calling for urgent reforms.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made improving life chances for young people a central mission. At the Labour party conference in September, he announced a shift away from the previous target of sending half of all young people to university. Instead, the government has set a new goal for 50% of young people to progress to university, further education, or a 'gold standard apprenticeship' by the age of 25.
This policy is being supported by the introduction of a new growth and skills levy, which will replace the existing apprenticeship levy. The new system is designed to offer greater flexibility, funding shorter apprenticeships and including new foundation apprenticeships.
However, the TUC is urging ministers to go further in the upcoming Budget. They want the scope of the new levy widened, as it currently applies to just 2% of employers. The union argues that incentivising more businesses to invest in training is crucial for tackling the UK's youth unemployment crisis, which currently sees almost one million young people not in education, employment, or training.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: "Our young people were badly let down by the last Tory government, which failed to invest in their futures. We now have almost one million young people stuck out of work, education and training – this is bad for the country and the economy." He acknowledged Labour has begun to "turn this around" but stressed that "further reforms to apprenticeships are desperately needed."
