England tightened its apprenticeship funding rules this year to favour young people. It hasn’t worked yet.
Young people’s share of new apprenticeship starts fell to 23.8 per cent in the first half of 2025-26, the lowest level in five years. This occurred even as the government restricted level 7 funding to under-22s and launched foundation apprenticeships aimed at young entrants. FE colleges’ share of the market slipped too, from 21 to 17 per cent.
The policy change logic was sound. The results aren’t matching it. Something besides funding rules is missing. And a new American report on community colleges suggests what it might be.
That report, from the nonprofit coalition Apprenticeships for America, examined how US community colleges function not just as training providers but as apprenticeship intermediaries. These are institutions that recruit and manage relationships with multiple employers, handle the compliance burden apprenticeship sponsorship requires, and provide the tutoring and transportation support that keep young apprentices enrolled.
