Youth unemployment currently stands at almost one million. In large part this reflects
the impact of the recession. However, youth unemployment was rising even before then –
some measures suggest youth unemployment began to rise in the early 2000s. As well as
the short-term rise associated with the recession, it is important to consider the long-term
causes of rising youth unemployment. In particular, it is increasingly recognised that
pathways from education into work need to function better for those not taking the
traditional academic route.
Apprenticeships are an important way of improving vocational routes from school to
work and are seen as a key mechanism to address the UK’s youth unemployment problem.
Apprenticeships can be hugely beneficial to a young person’s labour market prospects, can
bring significant benefits to businesses and are an important tool for developing a skilled
workforce.