More than a third (38%) of school leavers face a lack of apprenticeship opportunities in their local area, according to new research from Co-op.
This comes as Co-op finds that two in three (68%) school leavers agree that apprenticeships are more important now than in previous years, with almost half (48%) seeing an apprenticeship as the most beneficial way of entering the world of work.
However, despite those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds being more likely to apply for an apprenticeship (73% v 66%), many are facing barriers to accessing apprenticeships. Co-op has identified the top barriers holding back these school leavers, including:
- Not being able to afford to travel or move to another area where there are more apprenticeship opportunities (33%)
- A lack of apprenticeship opportunities in the local area (33%)
- A lack of apprenticeship opportunities via my school (20%)
- Not knowing where to look or how to apply to apprenticeship programmes (26%)
- Lacking the confidence to apply to an apprenticeship programme (25%)
- Not having the support to be guided through the application process (14%)
Meanwhile, almost two in three (68%) school leavers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds agree that it’s hard to get the experience needed to apply for jobs, Co-op finds, whilst 44% say that the education they have received has not set up them up well for an apprenticeship.
Co-op’s research also included a survey of business leaders, which found that seven in 10 agree that a socioeconomic gap exists when it comes to hiring apprentices. It also finds that small businesses are 18 times less likely to offer an apprenticeship scheme compared to large businesses (72% v 4%). Amongst those that do, one in five small businesses are not taking proactive steps to recruit apprentices from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
The top reasons for this lack of proactive recruitment include: a lack of time and resources (38%), uncertainty about how to access diverse talent pools (33%), insufficient funding to support apprenticeship programmes (29%), and concerns over increased training costs (14%).
Independent researcher, Dodds & Law Research Associates, found that those from the most advantaged backgrounds are taking an increasing share of higher-level apprenticeships compared to those from the least advantaged (11% vs 25% for level seven apprenticeships). This is supported by Co-op’s research which reveals businesses in less advantaged areas lack higher level apprenticeship schemes, with only a quarter (26%) of business leaders in these areas offering level six or seven apprenticeships.
Claire Costello, Co-op’s chief people and inclusion officer, says: “The research paints a picture of the real and widespread relationship between an individual’s socioeconomic background and their unequal access to apprenticeship opportunities post-school.
There has never been a more important time for the Government and UK businesses to stand up to reality and do more to ensure access to apprenticeships is fair and equitable for all young people.
Someone’s background should not limit their career potential which is why we’re calling on an amendment to the IfATE Bill – to level the playing field so everyone can have a fair shot at reaching their full potential.”
Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust, says: “Young people from low-income backgrounds stand to benefit most from the transformative opportunity of an apprenticeship. But too many are locked out of them because of a lack of supply and major financial barriers to taking one up.
The establishment of Skills England could be a game changer if it is given a mandate to ensure fairer access to apprenticeships and to work with businesses to increase the number of opportunities available. Not only would this help to deliver on the Government’s mission to tackle barriers to opportunity, but it would also help to drive inclusive economic growth across the country by harnessing untapped talent to address the UK’s major skills shortages.”
The research comes as Co-op has written to the Education Secretary calling on the Government to give Skills England a statutory duty to improve social mobility across the country.
In 2021, Co-op launched the Co-op Levy Share to work other employers to bring together funding to support thousands of apprenticeships. Three quarters of the supported apprentices in this scheme are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
In 2024, Co-op created a dedicated early childhood fund, committing to raise £5 million over the next five years, creating more than 600 apprenticeships for careers focused on early childhood.
