Press Release: New apprenticeship figures are more evidence that young people are the victims of the recession
Official figures published today show that, despite ministers’ targets of more apprenticeships for young people, the number of 16 to 18 year olds starting an apprenticeship fell by eight per cent in the first three quarters of 2008/09, and the number of 19 to 24 year-olds starting an apprenticeship fell by two per cent.
David Willetts, Shadow Secretary for Universities and Skills, commented:
“These figures are a devastating blow to young people. Only yesterday, Gordon Brown promised more opportunities for school leavers, yet today we discover there has been a significant fall in the number of teenagers and young adults starting an apprenticeship.
“We must help young people through the recession, but Labour has created a lost generation. The grim reality is that there is now a record number of 16-24 year-olds not in education, employment or training.
“It is time for a Conservative Government which will provide more, real apprenticeship opportunities for young people.”
Notes to Editors
1. Today’s Statistical First Release on ‘Post-16 education & skills: learner participation, outcomes and level of highest qualification held’ shows that opportunities for young people to become apprentices are in decline:
While there are fewer opportunities for young people, there has been a rise in the number of adult apprenticeship starts. These numbers are for the period 1 August to 30 April in each year.
Source: Table 11.1, The Data Service, Statistical First Release: DS/SFR3, 25 June 2009; available online: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/E2895DC0-27AD-4F72-A283-9A304FBD79D0/0/nat_SFR_Post16_Education_and_Skills_June09.pdf
2. On Tuesday, it was revealed that the number and proportion of 16 to 24 year-olds not in education, employment or training has surged to record levels. 935,000, or 15.6% of all 16 to 24 year-olds, are now NEET.
See press release at http://www.davidwilletts.co.uk/2009/06/23/recession-deals-blow-to-young-people-with-a-surge-in-neets/
3. At Prime Ministers Questions yesterday, the Prime Minister said:
“We want to give this year’s school leavers a guarantee that they will also have opportunities, and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families is taking action to ensure that opportunities are available to every school leaver this summer.”
Source: Hansard, 24 Jun 2009, Column 794
In February, Gordon Brown promised more apprenticeships for young people:
“What we are looking at is how we can build for the future. We have got new apprenticeships being announced here. We have got new ways of delivering apprenticeships. We are helping businesses for the first time to take on apprentices and over the next few months, thousands more apprenticeships will be on offer. We are determined to invest through this downturn so that we have the skills amongst young people that will deliver us the best opportunities and the best jobs for the future of our country.”
Source: Number 10 press release, 26 February 2009; available online: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page18458
4. Ministers have said they aim for one in five young people to undertake an apprenticeship by 2020.
Source: DIUS press release, 5 February 2009; available online: http://www.dius.gov.uk/news_and_speeches/press_releases/apprenticeships_bill
5. The Conservative Party will refocus the Train to Gain budget on thousands of new apprenticeship opportunities for young people.
Source: Conservative Party, Building Skills, Transforming Lives, July 2008; available online: http://www.davidwilletts.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/skills-green-paper_no7.pdf
ENDS