The Newshound

Labour's apprenticeship 'revolution' has enrolled just 160 young people in eight months with a million NEETs waiting

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 22 September 2026.

Close to one million 16-to-24-year-olds remain classified as NEET as Labour's foundation apprenticeship scheme has enrolled just 160 young people in eight months.
Close to one million 16-to-24-year-olds remain classified as NEET as Labour's foundation apprenticeship scheme has enrolled just 160 young people in eight months.

A Fabian Society report warns that the "skills revolution" faces serious collapse risk, with nearly one million 16-to-24-year-olds classed as NEET. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to overhaul technical education, but the think tank says current efforts fall dangerously short.

Apprenticeship starts for under-25s are still running about 40% below levels seen a decade ago — the steepest decline among advanced economies.

Over-25s now take the majority of apprenticeship places, while under-19s account for just a fifth of starts.

The Fabians are urging a £311 million annual regional fund and reforms to let employers use levy cash to cover half of young apprentices' wages.

MoreThe SunGovernment’s apprenticeship scheme employs just 160 people as almost 1million young people are out of workGB NewsYouth unemployment climbs as Labour's apprenticeship 'revolution' hires only 160 Britons in eight monthsThe GuardianOnly 160 apprenticeship starts in eight months on Labour’s flagship schemePersonnel TodayFoundation apprenticeships attract only 160 young people - Personnel Today
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