A new report from the Sutton Trust looks at how young people are accessing apprenticeships, and the outreach employers are undertaking to encourage more young people to take them up.

Polling 857 apprentices, the report states;

• A quarter of young apprentices found the apprenticeships application process difficult to navigate, with those from working-class backgrounds more likely to report this.
• 14% of respondents said they didn’t receive any information or outreach before starting their apprenticeship.
• 31% of the young apprenticeships surveyed said better information and support from their school would have encouraged their friends, peers and-or classmates to choose an apprenticeship.
• 68% of apprentices aged 25-54 reported they were already working for their employer before they started their apprenticeship, meaning young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are losing out.

“While information and knowledge sharing about alternative routes to a career is improving within schools and colleges, there is still work to be done in ensuring that all young people are fully aware of the opportunities an apprenticeship can lead to”, said Director of Amazing Apprenticeships Anna Morrison CBE. 

The report offers practical advice to employers when supporting young people into apprenticeships including monitoring socio-economic diversity and choosing relevant partnerships.

“Inspiring the apprenticeship community to ensure greater access to apprenticeships for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds continues to be a focus for Amazing Apprenticeships in 2022,” continues Morrison. “This year will see changemakers from leading employers graduate from The Genie Programme, ready to shape change within their organisation and a brand-new cohort begin on their journey.”

“Being involved in reports such as this from The Sutton Trust outlining practical advice to employers is incredibly important to the Amazing Apprenticeships team. Working in partnership with individuals to inspire, shape plans and implement change within their company through initiatives such as The Genie Programme will address social mobility from within and ensure support for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to access opportunities.”

Download the full report from The Sutton Trust here.

Find out more about Amazing Apprenticeships work with employers to widen access to apprenticeships and tackle complex social mobility issues through The Genie Programme here.