Apprenticeships remain a route worth promoting, despite the impact coronavirus has had on the economy and the financial concerns shared by many apprenticeship providers, the government has insisted.

A Department for Education spokesperson told Tes that apprenticeships were a valuable route into high-quality employment and will play a vital role in securing the UK’s economic recovery, post-coronavirus.

“That’s why our apprenticeship campaign continues online, with the Fire It Up website up and running for people to get help and support, and to view the range of apprenticeships available.”

The spokesperson added young people who needed help could contact the National Apprenticeship Service or the National Careers Service.

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Continuing training

The spokesperson said the DfE was continuing to work across government and with employers and training providers to explore ways to make sure young people can continue to access high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.

This comes after a survey by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) found around 60 per cent of employers had stopped recruiting apprentices altogether as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown. The data also showed 75 per cent of employers have stopped at least 80 per cent of starts normally expected at this time of year, and a third of apprentices have less than a one in five chance of completing their programme.

However, AELP chief executive Mark Dawe insisted the apprenticeship brand had not “suffered at all”.

He said: “If anything, it has been enhanced by people knowing when vacancies start to recover that an apprenticeship will guarantee them a job and the opportunity to earn and learn. In fact, we expect that there will a great deal of competition for the opportunities that are available because many people will be looking to secure employment in the first instance.”

He said that apprenticeship opportunities for school and college leavers normally came on stream from the end of June but the phasing out of the lockdown inevitably meant that the number would not immediately be as high as in previous years. 

He added: “But right now, there are 6,000 vacancies, so we would definitely recommend that young people should keep checking the Find an Apprenticeship website to see if there is something in their area in their preferred job roles.”

A spokesperson for the Apprentice Voice, a representative group founded by apprentices, said young people were facing increased uncertainty about their future during the coronavirus pandemic.

They said: “We would like to stress, however, that the apprenticeship route is not the only education route that faces such uncertainty and we therefore still passionately promote apprenticeships as a fantastic opportunity and brilliant pathway to a career.”

“We would recommend taking this time out to reflect on what you want to do in your future by researching different pathways you can follow and the best steps you can take to get there. You may choose to do an online course, or listen to a podcast such as Apprentice Talks, to enrich your knowledge and ensure you take the pathway best suited to your needs.”

A spokesperson for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education said: “This is undoubtedly a challenging time for apprentices and the availability of apprenticeships. We have been working hard to ensure that apprenticeships can be delivered in the current circumstances where there is demand and without compromising quality. 

“Working with the department we are also considering interventions to assist apprentices made redundant and measures that can be taken to both improve the rate of recovery and secure some of the positive changes that have arisen, for example around remote assessment.  In the longer term, we hope that the apprenticeship brand will emerge stronger and further support both productivity and social mobility.”