A New Era for Apprenticeships: What It Means for Young People

A shift in ambition

For years, the focus was on getting half of young people into university. That ambition has now been replaced with a broader skills target: by the age of 25, two-thirds of young people should have achieved higher-level skills, whether through university or through gold-standard apprenticeships.

Importantly, there is also a commitment that a significant proportion of young people will progress into higher technical education or apprenticeships aligned with the needs of the labour market over the coming years. Added investment in 16–19 education and the creation of new Technical Excellence Colleges will further strengthen these opportunities.

These changes represent a real rebalancing of how we think about post-16 education and the role of apprenticeships in building social mobility and supporting the economy.

What this means for Young Professionals

At Young Professionals, our mission has always been to connect ambitious students with real career pathways beyond the idea that university is the only route. We support global brands with their apprenticeship intakes, help them identify the right candidates, and provide ongoing guidance to young talent.

Here’s how the government’s new focus underlines our work:

• Validation of our mission – This shift shows that apprenticeships and alternative routes now have the recognition they deserve.

• Opportunity to scale – Employers will be seeking trusted partners to expand apprenticeship programmes, and we’re ready to respond.

• A growing pool of candidates – We already have nearly 500,000 young people in our database who are interested in apprenticeships and alternative routes.

• Proven outcomes – With over 2,000 YP apprentice alumni working today, we’ve seen first-hand how apprenticeships make a difference to communities and careers.

Supporting parents, teachers and students

For parents and teachers, this announcement is a clear signal: apprenticeships are a mainstream choice for ambitious young people. We are here to provide advice, resources, and direct opportunities that you can share with your students.

For students, this is about confidence in choice. Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships are now firmly established as respected, valuable routes into a career. With the right preparation and support, these pathways can unlock your potential and set you on the right track from day one.

Looking ahead

Young Professionals stands ready to help shape this new era for skills and apprenticeships. We will continue to deepen our employer partnerships, expand our reach to schools, and ensure every student has the chance to find the right route for them.

Get in touch

If you are a parent, teacher, or student and want to explore apprenticeship opportunities, visit our website or get in touch with us directly. Together, we can make sure every young person’s potential is matched with the opportunities they deserve.