Turning investment into opportunity: Kate Parker, Social Value Strategy Lead at Procure Plus, looks at how the Government’s £725m apprenticeship reforms can support young people and local communities.
The Government’s announcement of a £725m package to expand apprenticeships and skills training for young people is an important signal of intent. With apprenticeship starts among under-25s having declined significantly over the past decade, renewed investment and clearer pathways into work are both timely and necessary.
At Procure Plus, we have long prioritised creating jobs, developing skills and generating opportunities through our frameworks, so the renewed focus on young people, SMEs and local labour markets is especially welcome. Removing the 5% co-investment requirement for SMEs, backing regional pilots through a £140m partnership with local leaders, and creating more flexible training options all have the potential to open up opportunities for young people who might otherwise struggle to access them.
The emphasis on local leadership is also encouraging. Regional partners understand their labour markets better than anyone and aligning training with real local demand is essential if these reforms are to translate into sustained employment. The pilot approach will be important in demonstrating what works, where support is most needed, and how employers of different sizes can be engaged effectively.
At the same time, the practical challenges shouldn’t be underestimated. SMEs will need clear guidance, streamlined processes and confidence that the apprenticeship system can work smoothly for them. Young people – particularly those who are NEET – will need tailored, sustained support to navigate opportunities and stay engaged. And local areas will need time and capacity to integrate these reforms into existing employment and skills systems.
Through our frameworks, we see every day the difference that stable funding, good employer engagement and long-term partnerships make to creating high-quality opportunities. A key strength at Procure Plus is ensuring the opportunities created through our frameworks sit with employers who understand the needs of young people and the value they can bring. We support both the employer and the apprentice throughout the process, resulting in an overall success rate of 87% across Procure Plus.
The Government’s ambition is significant, and ensuring that the programmes, funding mechanisms and support structures are designed in a way that works for employers and learners alike will be critical. As these reforms bed in, Procure Plus will continue to work closely with our contractor partners and clients to maximise the employment and training opportunities created through public investment. Our long-standing experience in delivering apprenticeships, supporting young people into work, and designing supply chains that create local social value means we are well placed to help translate national ambition into meaningful outcomes for local communities.
If delivered well, these reforms could help rebuild the pipeline of young talent our sector – and the wider economy – urgently needs. We look forward to supporting our partners to make the most of them.
