UUK response to the defunding of leadership and management apprenticeships

Universities know how difficult it is for young people entering the world of work at the moment and share the government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment. That’s why, through our Future Jobs programme, universities across the UK are listening to business leaders to ensure their courses deliver real opportunity and prepare young people for the workplace.

However, defunding the apprenticeships that businesses say are vital to productivity and people’s career advancement is not a compromise that is in the interests of the economy or individuals. These courses are crucial to driving the government’s growth mission. In just one year, management apprenticeships contributed £119.5 million to GDP, and the skills that they instil in learners are central to the UK’s ambition for a more productive, high-skilled economy.

We will continue to work with the government to support learners at all stages of their careers, and to develop courses and qualifications that match the needs of the economy.