27 April 2026
Policy – not the market – drives apprenticeship starts
A report from Gatsby examines 20 years of policy interventions and their impact on apprenticeship starts. Richard Holliday analysed 20 years of policy interventions to identify the extent to which it was them or labour market shifts that drove increases or decreases in apprenticeship starts.
As well as apprenticeship data, he gathered data through employer, provider and expert interviews, looking at the impact of Train to Gain, Advanced Learner Loans, the apprenticeship levy and more. His work examined the effects of the introduction, change and removal of such policies.
His conclusion is that apprenticeship starts are significantly affected by government policy, with shorter, lower-cost apprenticeships being particularly sensitive. He also found that they do not tend to follow labour market trends.
The report recommends improving the quality and consistency of data, better aligning funding to market needs and creating clearer distinctions between apprenticeships for new and existing staff.
Read the Gatsby report on apprenticeship policy effects.
As well as apprenticeship data, he gathered data through employer, provider and expert interviews, looking at the impact of Train to Gain, Advanced Learner Loans, the apprenticeship levy and more. His work examined the effects of the introduction, change and removal of such policies.
His conclusion is that apprenticeship starts are significantly affected by government policy, with shorter, lower-cost apprenticeships being particularly sensitive. He also found that they do not tend to follow labour market trends.
The report recommends improving the quality and consistency of data, better aligning funding to market needs and creating clearer distinctions between apprenticeships for new and existing staff.
Read the Gatsby report on apprenticeship policy effects.
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