A Landmark Shift: The UK's new Apprenticeship target for young talent development

Apprentices studying a control panel being shown by an educator

The UK government has set a bold new target for the future of skills and careers: two-thirds of young people (under 25) should enter university or a ‘gold standard apprenticeship.’

This isn't just a slight adjustment; it signals a fundamental change. It replaces the decades old 50% university-only goal, moving to a model that explicitly values technical education and vocational pathways equally.

The appetite is already there:

• ✅ Research shows 6 in 10 young people now view apprenticeships as more appealing than university.

• ✅ They are lauded for improving social mobility and allowing individuals to 'earn while they learn' (CIPD).

  
  

This renewed focus is welcome, especially with youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) reaching a high of 948,000.

However, ambition must meet reality. To truly succeed, we must address the "historically knotty issues" highlighted by experts:

1. Employer Support: We need more than just willingness. Businesses, particularly small enterprises, will require financial incentives to open new apprenticeship places amidst rising costs and new regulations.

2. Completion Rates: The current 50% completion rate for apprenticeships needs immediate attention.

3. Access & Equity: Tackling poor funding, disparities faced by young men, transport in rural areas, and mental health challenges are critical to ensure no young person is locked out.

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At Thrivehub.works, we believe the key to hitting this 2/3 target lies in stronger collaboration between government, educators, and employers.

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