The UK government has unveiled a major package of measures aimed at helping thousands more young people gain the skills, training and qualifications they need to secure good jobs and build successful careers.
The new initiative includes financial support for apprentices, thousands of additional college places and fully funded apprenticeship training for eligible people under the age of 25.
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A key part of the package is a new bursary worth up to £4,500 per year per household, designed to remove financial barriers that prevent some young people from taking up apprenticeships. The government said the support will particularly benefit families receiving Universal Credit, where starting an apprenticeship can sometimes lead to a loss of benefits that outweighs the apprentice’s earnings.
Officials said the bursary will ensure young people no longer have to choose between gaining valuable work experience and protecting their family’s income.
The scheme will be funded through the £1 billion additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy announced earlier this year.
From 1 August, the government will also fully fund apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s. Small and medium-sized businesses that hire young apprentices will be able to access up to £8,000 in financial support, while employers will continue to benefit from National Insurance contribution relief for apprentices under 25.
Together, the measures are expected to help create 50,000 new youth apprenticeships before the end of the current Parliament.
The government is also investing £287 million to create more than 22,000 additional places across colleges and other post-16 education providers in England. The expansion will support 87 projects, including the growth of construction and technical courses in areas such as bricklaying, plumbing and decorating, helping to meet growing demand for skilled workers.
The latest investment builds on the government’s wider commitment of £9 billion for education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds during the 2026–27 academic year.
The announcement comes as more than one million young people in England are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), representing around one in every eight young people.
According to the government, the reforms are part of a broader effort to strengthen the link between education and employment while giving technical and vocational education the same recognition as traditional academic routes.
By expanding access to apprenticeships, increasing college places and providing greater financial support, ministers say more young people will be able to develop practical skills, gain real workplace experience and move into well-paid careers. The government believes the package will also help employers fill skills shortages while supporting economic growth and creating stronger opportunities for the next generation.
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