Decline in apprenticeships exposes Govt's failure to create educational opportunities

A Centre for Social Justice report released today has found that the overall number of apprenticeships has fallen by a quarter between 2014/15 and 2018/19.

• Every young person deserves the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed in whatever career path they choose. Apprenticeships are a vital pathway into so many sectors. In the face of the current economic crisis, access to this type of training could not be more important.
• But these figures are yet more evidence that the Conservatives have failed create new educational opportunities, especially for the most disadvantaged pupils.
• The Liberal Democrats are calling for a major expansion of high-quality apprenticeships including Higher Apprenticeships. We also want to see the creation of National Colleges as centres of expertise for key sectors, to deliver the high-level vocational skills that businesses need right now.