Apprentices dropping out of courses due to ‘box-ticking’ and ‘weak’ management, report warns

The Sutton Trust has warned that poor training, weak management and a “box-ticking” approach are contributing to young apprentices leaving their courses before completion. The findings matter because apprenticeships are intended to provide a route into skilled work, yet many young people say the experience does not match what they expected.

More than one in three apprentices in England do not complete their course: 35 per cent overall, rising to 36 per cent among 16-to-18-year-olds and 38 per cent among those from deprived areas. The charity interviewed more than 300 apprentices under 30, including 100 who had dropped out; it also pointed to low pay and other financial pressures. Its recommendations include rewarding providers for completions, requiring face-to-face off-the-job training, training managers and helping employers cover costs such as travel and equipment.