- Young people from low-income backgrounds are under-represented in degree level apprenticeships compared to university.
- There has been a staggering decline in overall apprenticeship starts in recent years – falling by almost a quarter between 2017 and 2018, and by 18% during the pandemic.*
- The fall in apprenticeship starts has been much bigger in areas of high deprivation.
Young people from low-income backgrounds are under-represented in higher and degree level apprenticeships, according to new research published today by the Sutton Trust. The research finds that the proportion of degree apprentices from low-income backgrounds is actually lower than for undergraduates (5% vs 6.7%). This suggests that these apprenticeships are not a more accessible pathway than the university route for those from low-income backgrounds.
