Apprenticeship starts dropped significantly in the first weeks of lockdown, new data from the Department for Education has shown.

According to the figures published this morning, there were 13,020 apprenticeship starts reported between 23 March and 30 April 2020 – almost exactly half the 26,330 reported for this period at this point last year.

The DfE stressed final data would not become available until later in the year and latest reported to date starts for 2019-20 were down on the same point in the previous year.

More: Government must invest billions to tackle unemployment

Background: Youth unemployment could rise by 600,000

Boris Johnson: 'I will look into an apprenticeship guarantee'

Older learners

According to the data, learners aged 25 and over make up nearly two-thirds (66 per cent) of starts, compared to 55.8 per cent in the previous year, while intermediate apprenticeships accounted for 22.7 per cent of starts, compared to this was 36.8 per cent in 2018-19.

Higher apprenticeships accounted for 33.8 per cent, nearly double the proportion reported in 2018-19.

The figure comes as a coalition of education organisation calls for disadvantaged young people under the age of 25 to be given the opportunity to work for six months in a paid placement around the country to tackle youth unemployment.

Figures published by the Office of National Statistics yesterday showed there were more than 770,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the three months leading up to lockdown – more than the previous year.

Earlier this week, prime minister Boris Johnson said he would “look into” an apprenticeship guarantee for all young learners to help tackle the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Association of Employment and Learning Providers chief executive Mark Dawe said: “After yesterday’s pre-pandemic figures showing an increase in the number of young people who are NEET, today’s data is extremely worrying for young people who were looking to start an apprenticeship or traineeship this year. 

"The prime minister is absolutely right in saying that apprenticeships should play a ‘huge part in getting people back into the jobs market’ but the big problem is that Downing Street and the Department for Education are not singing from the same hymn-sheet. 

"A large drop in apprenticeship opportunities for young people is already hitting a fragile infrastructure. The prime minister’s ambition for the importance of apprenticeships, which is shared by many commentators and the Labour Party, can only be realised if DfE ministers finally smell the coffee and become supporters of the sector through actions rather than words.”     

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “While the impact of the coronavirus is still becoming clear, we are supporting employers, apprentices and training providers during this challenging time so people can continue to access high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.

“It is encouraging to see that even in these challenging circumstances, many employers still recognise the value apprenticeships can bring to their businesses.

“Apprenticeships are a valuable route into high-quality employment, supplying businesses with the skilled workforce they need. They will play a vital role in securing our economic recovery in the future.”