WIREDGOV

Young people cast doubt on political parties’ ability to deliver pledge on apprenticeships 

Research from NCFE highlights pressure on students to go to university and ‘knowledge gap’ on post-school options leading to few considering apprenticeships 

Tackling youth unemployment is the top concern that young people wish the next government to address (48%), above improving education policies (46%) or reviewing tuition fees (40%). However, a knowledge gap around post-school options means the main political parties much-lauded approach to tackling the problem through apprenticeships is in danger of floundering.

The research, released today by leading vocational qualification provider NCFE, found just 18% of 18-24 year olds would even consider undertaking an apprenticeship. The study highlights a significant need for improved information on the value of apprenticeships if the Conservatives’ ambitious 3m apprenticeships by 2020, or Labour’s extra 80,000 new apprenticeships a year, are to be realised.

NCFE, the award-winning skills development organisation that provides over 300 vocational education qualifications and apprenticeship courses to over 2000 training providers and employers, announced the survey results at the NCFE Policy Conference – ‘Delivering on learner outcomes: spotlight on youth employment’. Featuring key political and business speakers including the Shadow Minister for Education Yvonne Fovargue MP, and Lord Storey CBE, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on education in the House of Lords, the conference explored the skills and employment landscape, focusing on what this might look like post-election.

The survey found a lack of awareness at school level was partly to blame for the disinterest in apprenticeships. Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents said they were not fully informed of their options following school, with more than a third (36%) believing teachers were too focused on final grades, and failed to care what they did when they left school (25%).

David Grailey, Chief Executive at NCFE commented; “The survey clearly shows a huge disconnect in the minds of young people. Tackling youth unemployment is their biggest concern, yet they do not appear to share the same faith in apprenticeships as government parties. More alarmingly, a large portion of school leavers are not being made fully aware about the options available to them after secondary school.

“At NCFE, we see first-hand the benefits apprenticeships bring to both young people looking to succeed in the workplace and also to employers. The future government must do more to support schools in doing all they can to properly inform students of the benefits of all forms of further education and vocational training, and the career paths that can follow.”

NCFE has developed a variety of apprenticeships at both advanced and intermediate level, supported by award winning customer service that enables training providers and employers to deliver the very best results for learners.

Regional insights from the survey included:

Just 6% of people in East Midlands would choose an apprenticeship, yet they had the highest number believing political parties need to tackle youth unemployment underlining this disconnect.

Northern Ireland appeared to be the most engaged with politics (highest proportion intending to vote 73%). Yorkshire and the Humber least so at 59.5%.

The region least informed of options after school is the West Midlands (31%).

More than half of respondents in Wales (52%) believed teachers are too focused on final grades.

North East respondents reported feeing the most pressure to go to University (47%).