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<p>Apprenticeships offer great opportunities for young people who are starting out
in their careers, and the department is committed to supporting young people from
disadvantaged backgrounds to access these opportunities more easily.</p><p> </p><p>The
Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme, funded at £3.2 million per year,
provides schools and further education colleges across England with a free, bespoke
package of comprehensive information and supports young people from all backgrounds
and areas to access apprenticeships. The department is expanding the ASK Development
Schools project in the 2023/24 academic year from 40 to 60 schools, including those
in disadvantaged areas. This provides bespoke support for students in years 10 and
11 at levels one and below, who have the potential to progress into an apprenticeship
but who are facing significant personal barriers such as learning difficulties, disabilities,
or emotional, behavioural development issues.</p><p> </p><p>The department has also
tripled the care leavers’ bursary for apprentices under the age of 25 from £1000 to
£3000, helping even more young people to access and complete their apprenticeships,
and continues to pay an additional £1,000 to employers and providers to support apprentices
aged 16-18, care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care plan aged 24
and under. The department is also supporting young people to undertake apprenticeships
by fully funding training costs for new apprentices aged 16-21 in non-levy paying
employers, who tend to be small and medium-sized enterprises, from April 2024.</p><p>
</p><p>As part of the government’s commitment to provide a comprehensive and clear
skills offer for employers and individuals, in August 2023 the traineeships programme
was integrated into the 16-19 study programme and adult education provision. All the
elements of the traineeship programme, English and mathematics, work experience, employability,
and occupational skills and qualifications will continue to be funded for 16-19 year
olds as part of the national 16-19 study programme. Providers with access to funding
can continue to offer traineeship type programmes for young people who need support
to get into work, apprenticeships, or further learning.</p><p> </p>
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