The government has announced ambitious new targets aimed at transforming education and skills across the UK, setting out plans for two thirds of young people to either attend university or complete a “gold standard apprenticeship” by the age of 25.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the goal marks a shift from Tony Blair’s 1999 target of getting 50 per cent of young people into university, a milestone achieved in 2019. Starmer said the new approach “reflects the changing world of work” and emphasised that apprenticeships should hold the same prestige as academic degrees.
Balancing academic and technical education
Under the plans, a sub-target has also been introduced for 10% of young people to take on higher technical education or apprenticeships by 2040. The announcement is part of a broader push to strengthen technical colleges, expand career-linked qualifications, and invest in teaching standards.
Starmer said further education had been “ignored because politicians’ kids don’t go there,” adding that both universities and technical pathways should be seen as equal routes to success.
The renewed focus on apprenticeships comes amid rising youth unemployment figures. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of young people not in education, employment, or training has reached 948,000, highlighting the urgent need to create more accessible training opportunities.
Apprenticeships gaining momentum
Research from BAE Systems found:
6 in 10 young people now view apprenticeships as a more appealing option than university.
86% believe apprenticeships improve social mobility by offering real-world experience and access to sustainable employment.
This shift signals growing enthusiasm for “earn while you learn” opportunities and hands-on skills development, something employers and HR teams can leverage to build long-term talent pipelines.
Challenges ahead for employers and policymakers
Experts have identified several barriers that could prevent the government from meeting its targets, including:
Underfunded training institutions and limited resources.
Regional transport gaps restricting access to education in rural areas.
Low completion rates, with only about half of apprentices finishing their courses.
Employer hesitation to offer placements to school and college leavers.
For HR teams, addressing these issues means creating supportive environments through structured onboarding, mentoring, and development programmes.
A shared opportunity for HR and business
The expansion of apprenticeships and higher education represents a significant opportunity for HR leaders to build pipelines of young talent while supporting national skills growth.
With the right funding and collaboration between government, education providers, and employers, this initiative could help bridge the UK’s long-standing skills gap, creating a future where every young person has a clear, supported path from education into work.
