CIPD calls for Apprenticeship Guarantee to tackle youth unemployment

The CIPD has called on the Government to introduce an Apprenticeship Guarantee for 16 to 17-year-olds and ensure zero-hours contract reforms do not reduce flexible job opportunities for young people.

The professional body for HR and people development made the recommendations ahead of the final Milburn Review into youth unemployment and inactivity, which is expected this autumn.

The Government-commissioned review is examining the rise in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The CIPD proposed creating an additional 20,000 apprenticeship places for 16 to 17-year-olds by 2029/30, which it said would return provision for the age group to levels seen before the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in 2017.

Its research found 90% of employers supported an Apprenticeship Guarantee, while six in 10 said it would encourage them to take on more apprentices than they currently did.

The proposed guarantee would include a £5,200 apprenticeship wage grant, full funding for apprenticeship training and greater local support for employers to create and fill vacancies.

The CIPD also called for local authorities to have a statutory duty to support delivery and work with employers to ensure sufficient apprenticeship opportunities were available.

Alongside the apprenticeship proposals, the organisation urged the Government to ensure planned reforms to zero-hours contracts did not reduce access to flexible work for young people and students.