Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
Milburn proposes pre-apprenticeship route for young people in England
Alan Milburn, who is reviewing youth employment in Britain, is proposing a new pre-apprenticeship programme in England.
It would help young people who lack qualifications, confidence or work experience prepare for a full apprenticeship.
The programme would mainly run through further education colleges, combining English and maths, technical learning and work experience with an employer.
The proposal comes as youth unemployment is rising and the number of under-19s starting apprenticeships has nearly halved in a decade.
Currently, only about one in five apprenticeship starts goes to someone aged 16 to 18.
The plan is intended to help more young people move into training and work, but it has not been announced as government policy.
Milburn’s full review has been delayed until at least November, after the budget.
Alan Milburn is calling for a national pre-apprenticeship route for young people in England.
The proposed scheme would combine English and maths, technical learning and work experience with an employer.
It would target young people who lack the qualifications, confidence, workplace experience or routines needed for a full apprenticeship.
The proposal comes amid a sharp fall in youth apprenticeship starts and rising youth unemployment.
Milburn’s full report has been delayed until at least November, after the budget.
- Who
- Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into Britain’s youth jobs crisis, is making the proposal.
- What
- He is calling for a national pre-apprenticeship route offering education, training and work experience.
- When
- The proposal was reported on 10 October 2026. The full report has been delayed until at least November.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- To help young people who are not ready for a full apprenticeship gain skills and work experience, and to address the youth unemployment gap.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The number of under-19s enrolling in an apprenticeship has almost halved.
The government announced £100m to expand local apprenticeship services over two years.
The budget is scheduled, and the government has delayed Milburn’s full recommendations until after it.
Milburn’s full report is expected after the delay.
- Proposed scheme
- National pre-apprenticeship route in England
- Target group
- Young people lacking qualifications, confidence, workplace experience or routines
- Scheme content
- English and maths, technical learning and employer experience
- Youth apprenticeship starts
- As few as one in five currently go to 16- to 18-year-olds
- Under-19 enrolments
- Almost halved over the past decade
- Local apprenticeship services
- £100m in funding over two years
Sources
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