Alan Milburn, leading a major review into Britain’s youth employment crisis, is calling for the creation of a national pre-apprenticeship route designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and full apprenticeship programs. The proposed scheme would target young people lacking the qualifications, confidence, workplace experience, or established routines needed to secure and maintain apprenticeship positions.
The program would be delivered primarily through further education colleges and would combine English and mathematics instruction with technical learning and practical work experience with employers. Milburn cited the success of similar one-year pre-vocational pathways in Austria as a model, noting that countries with lower youth unemployment rates, including the Netherlands and Austria, have placed greater emphasis on vocational education routes. In those nations, more than half of 15- to 19-year-olds in upper-secondary education pursue vocational programs.
The recommendation comes against a backdrop of significant challenges in Britain’s youth employment landscape. Fewer than one in five apprenticeship starts currently go to 16- to 18-year-olds, and enrollment of under-19s in apprenticeships has nearly halved over the past decade. Additionally, almost 1 million young people are currently classified as not in education, employment, or training (Neet).
Milburn’s full report, which was initially scheduled for release this month, has been delayed until at least November due to concerns in government about timing alongside the 28 October budget. The review is expected to include recommendations for broader reforms to Britain’s benefits system and welfare provisions. The government is already exploring potential welfare changes, including modifications to disability support for under-25s and expansion of employment support programs.
Separately, the government recently announced a £100 million investment over two years to expand local apprenticeship services coordinated by regional mayors, aiming to double the number of areas matching young people with local employers.
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