What influences the choices of would-be apprentices?
A new report from UCAS and the Sutton Trust seeks to understand the choices and barriers faced by learners in the apprenticeship journey.
While 430,000 students tell us they are interested in apprenticeships, we see starts at Levels 4 and above sit around 5,000 for those under 19.
One in three (35%) students previously interested in studying an apprenticeship said they were prevented from doing so due to a lack of roles in their desired career, while three in five (61%) former applicants did not pursue an apprenticeship because they could not find one in their preferred location. Other challenges include lack of information, support, and financial considerations.
This report tracks the experience of five groups as they progress from initial interest to starting an apprenticeship, and explores where students drop out of the pipeline and how we can better support them.
Our research reveals a range of ways how we can enhance the entire apprenticeship journey, including:
Making apprenticeship opportunities more accessible and visible
Making apprenticeship opportunities more accessible and visible: get the right information to young people and make the process much simpler and easier.
Increasing supply
Increasing the supply of high-quality apprenticeships.
Ensuring accessibility
Ensuring apprenticeships are accessible to all, regardless of background.