# Higher training costs for older workers risks plan to tackle youth jobs crisis, employers say

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/higher-training-costs-for-older-workers-risks-plan-to-tackle-youth-jobs-crisis-employers-say/
- Published: 2026-10-26T06:00:24+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T07:10:34+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/oct/26/training-costs-apprenticeships-older-workers-youth-jobs-crisis-neet
- Topics: Business, Economy, Football, Government, Politics, Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- Ministers may make older apprenticeships more expensive for employers.
- Business groups say this could redistribute rather than expand opportunities.
- About 1 million young people are not in education, work or training.

## Summary

Ministers are considering changes to apprenticeship funding in England that would make training workers over 25 cost employers more, in an effort to direct support towards younger people. Business groups warn this could shift existing opportunities rather than create new ones, potentially undermining the government’s response to high youth unemployment.

The proposal, which is not yet final, would let employers use levy funds to cover the full training cost for apprentices under 25, while covering 75% of costs for older workers and requiring employers to pay the rest separately. It comes as about 1 million people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training, and youth apprenticeship starts have fallen by 40% over the past decade. Employers also argue that adult training helps workers update skills and supports business needs, including as AI changes workplaces.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.