Government announces new education, skills and apprenticeship opportunities for young people

The government has announced a significant package of reforms designed to create clearer pathways for young people from school into further education, technical training, apprenticeships and employment. The reforms include plans to give young people from the age of 14 greater access to technical education, skills training, meaningful work experience and connections with employers.

Schools, colleges, mayors, local leaders and employers will be expected to work together to create clearer routes into skilled employment, with greater emphasis on ensuring technical and vocational routes are valued alongside academic pathways.

The government has also announced additional investment intended to increase access to apprenticeships and post-16 education.

From 1 August 2026, apprenticeship training will be fully funded for all eligible young people under 25. Additional support for employers will include up to £8,000 for SMEs taking on young apprentices, alongside National Insurance relief for apprentices under 25.

The measures are intended to support the creation of 50,000 new youth apprenticeships.

A new bursary will also provide support of up to £4,500 per year per household in circumstances where changes to household benefits might otherwise create a financial disincentive for a young person to take up an apprenticeship.

Alongside the apprenticeship reforms, a further £287 million will create more than 22,000 additional places across colleges and other post-16 providers.

Creating clearer pathways for young people

Taken together, the announcements point towards an increasing emphasis on connecting education, skills and employment much earlier in a young person's journey. This is particularly important in the context of more than one million young people currently being not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England.

Creating opportunities is only one part of the challenge. Local areas will also need to ensure young people understand the options available to them, that those at risk of disengagement are identified early and that pathways between schools, colleges, training providers, employers and wider support services are easy to navigate. The government's emphasis on schools, colleges, local leaders and employers working together therefore represents an important opportunity to develop more coherent local pathways which help young people move successfully from education into training and employment.