Apprenticeship system failing people from disadvantaged backgrounds

The number of people from disadvantaged backgrounds starting apprenticeships has fallen by more than a third, according to the Social Mobility Commission.

In a new report, the commission said there was a 36% decline in the number of people from disadvantaged backgrounds starting apprenticeships in England between 2015 and 2018, compared with a 23% decline for more privileged apprentices.

According to the report, the impact was even greater for older (aged 25+) and female apprentices.

It also found that just 13% of degree-level apprenticeships have gone to apprentices from disadvantaged backgrounds.

And most disadvantaged apprenticeship starters came from three regions: north-west England (25%); the west midlands (15%); and London (15%).

The report also found more than 80% of apprenticeships undertaken by learners from disadvantaged backgrounds are in enterprises in the services, health, education or public administration sectors.

And around two thirds (63%) of apprenticeships are successfully completed by men from disadvantaged background, compared with 67% of men from more privileged backgrounds.

‘There is a severe disadvantage gap throughout the entire apprenticeship training journey, and this has worsened over time,’ said report lead author, Alice Battison.

‘Not only has the proportion of new starters from disadvantaged backgrounds declined over time, but they have also benefited less than their better-off peers from the shift towards higher-level programmes.’

Earlier this month, the Commission published another report, which said the government had failed to act on a range of recommendations to improve disadvantaged people’s life chances in England.

The interim chair of the Social Mobility Commission, Steve Cooper, said the apprenticeship levy, introduced in 2017, has disproportionately funded higher-level apprenticeships for learners from more advantaged communities, rather than those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who would benefit more.

‘It is no longer credible for the government to assume that apprenticeships automatically improve social mobility and leave the system to its own devices,’ added Mr Cooper.

‘Strategic action and direction are needed to target the system better on disadvantaged communities and improve the system’s value for money.

‘This is an easy win for the government in its attempts at levelling up – if it can get this right. The government must look at the structural barriers in place and take action to channel resources where they will have the greatest effect.’

Photo Credit – Free-Photos (Pixabay)