Coach Core, a charity that provides sports coaching apprenticeships to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, is calling for greater support for entry-level apprenticeships.

New government figures show that despite apprenticeship starts in England rising 7 per cent in the first quarter of 2023/24 (compared to the same period last year), entry-level intermediate apprenticeship starts have declined by 2.5%, continuing a concerning trend. The number of people starting entry-level apprenticeships has fallen by 74% since 2015/16 (from 291,300 to 76,300).

The charity is concerned about that this means a significant decline in the number of young and disadvantaged people taking up apprenticeships, which can be a vital route into education and employment when others have closed. The decline across all apprenticeship levels has been felt hardest by those living in the most deprived postcodes, who have seen an 18% drop in apprenticeship starts, vs just 2% for the least deprived (since 2017/18).

Coach Core believes that apprenticeships are an effective tool to ensure opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Estimates from the Social Mobility Commission show that disadvantaged female learners with an entry-level apprenticeship qualification earn 11.6% more at age 28, compared to individuals holding a different qualification at the same level.

“Apprenticeships are a powerful way to empower young people and to create a more diverse workforce,” said Paul Thompson, Director of People and Learning at Coach Core. “Not only do they provide a desperately needed opportunity for young people facing barriers to employment, but a more diverse workforce strengthens the organisation, through better community engagement, improved decision making and increased employee retention. We’re concerned about the long-term impact on young people who traditionally may experience barriers, discrimination, and lack of opportunities when this bottom rung of the ladder isn’t available.”

Apprenticeships – especially intermediate ones – are a useful tool to use when trying to recruit a more diverse workforce because they are accessible by young people who have faced many barriers to employment including lack of opportunity, lack of academic qualifications, lack of network, discrimination, and the need to earn a wage immediately. These people have tremendous value to offer – they simply need to be given an accessible route in.

Coach Core is calling on organisations to use apprenticeships – in particular entry-level apprenticeships - as part of their recruitment strategy moving forward.

Notes to Editors

For more information about Coach Core and its work, please visit coachcore.org.uk.

Contact: James Burbidge, Communications Manager, Coach Core

james.burbidge@coachcore.org.uk | 07904 341657

Spokespeople from Coach Core are available for comment throughout National Apprenticeship Week (February 5-11).

ABOUT COACH CORE

Coach Core is an employment and education charity that uses the long-term power of sport and apprenticeships to change the lives of young adults across the UK experiencing barriers, discrimination, and lack of opportunities.

It has supported 202 sporting and physical activity sector organisations to employ a young person as an apprentice, starting them on a career path with passion and purpose. The charity’s work with these employers enables more sport and physical activity to take place in disadvantaged communities, delivered by relatable role models, making for happier and healthier populations.

Coach Core began as a programme at The Royal Foundation in 2012, as part of the legacy of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was shaped by seeing the devastation of the 2011 London riots and the Centre for Social Justice’s report that followed on how best to harness the power of sport to transform the lives of young people. What began as a single pilot programme has grown to 19 sites across the UK and over 800 apprentices through the last 10 years.

In 2023 Coach Core were delighted to be recognised through the following awards:

• Winner - EDI Programme of the Year, AAC Apprenticeship Awards,

• Winner - Inclusive Coaching Award, UK Coaching Awards

• Winner - Apprenticeship Programme of the Year, Learning Awards

A number of the charity’s apprentices, staff and employers also received recognition:

• Gabrielle Reid - Young Coach of the Year, UK Coaching Awards

• Wasim Collins - Coach Developer of the Year, UK Coaching Awards

• Summer Purnell - Learning Hero Award, Bristol Young Heroes Awards

• Chauncey Taylor, Intermediate Apprentice of the Year, Highly Commended, National Apprenticeship Awards (London)

• Hat Trick, SME Apprentice Employer of the Year, National Apprenticeship Awards, Highly Commended (North East)

REFERENCES

(https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships)

(https://www.ukcoaching.org/UKCoaching/media/coaching-images/Entity base/Downloadables/UK-Coaching-Coaches-written-report.pdf)

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-richard-review-of-apprenticeships)

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ef1bb3dd3bf7f6c053a28a4/Apprenticeships_and_social_mobility_report.pdf)

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