Nicola Aylward, Head of Learning for Young People at Learning and Work Institute, said:
We welcome Government’s decision to increase the apprenticeships care leavers’ bursary from £1,000 to £3,000. Our research shows that most care leavers don’t think apprenticeships are an affordable option for them, so the increased bursary should help to boost the incomes of care leavers who are doing an apprenticeship, making it a more viable option.
To be effective, there also needs to be a plan to increase awareness of apprenticeships and the bursary, as current participation and take up is low. And to ensure care leavers are able to complete their apprenticeships, they will need joined-up support from an integrated skills, employment support and social care system that puts them at the centre of their journey towards independent and fulfilling lives as adults.
