The apprenticeship levy was designed to fund apprenticeship training and encourage businesses to hire more apprentices. Since its inception, it has supported two million apprenticeships. However, overall numbers have decreased by 10%, with nearly a third fewer apprentices under the age of 19. Reform is needed, but the debate is heading in the wrong direction. The Government has begun this work. In March 2023, it announced plans to fully reimburse small businesses’ apprentice training costs for those aged 16 to 21. But this alone isn’t enough to meet young people’s demand for apprenticeships. Click here for more.
