Supporting young people to understand and take up apprenticeships and technical pathways

Key findings at a glance

• Understanding of apprenticeships more than doubles between Year 7 and Year 11 (38% to 79%), with understanding in Year 11 approaching that of A Levels (83%)
• 90% of Year 13 learners understand apprenticeships and over two-thirds understand higher technical education pathways

During 2024/25 academic year: 

• 64.9% of schools reported that at least 76% of Key Stage 3 learners had received two or more meaningful PAL encounters
• 80.5% of schools reported that at least 76% of Key Stage 4 learners had received two or more meaningful PAL encounters
• 80.9% of schools reported that at least 76% of Key Stage 5 learners had been offered two or more meaningful PAL encounters

What the data tells us about supporting progression to apprenticeships and technical pathways

This briefing brings together national evidence on young people's awareness and understanding of apprenticeships and technical education pathways, alongside data on schools' delivery of encounters in line with Provider Access Legislation (PAL) and the wider factors that influence progression into apprenticeships, technical education and training.

It draws on national data from more than 330,000 learners, and from 4,526 secondary schools across 44 Careers Hubs in England.

Three key themes from this year's data:

1. Young people’s awareness and understanding of apprenticeships and technical pathways

Young people's understanding of apprenticeships and technical education improves significantly as they progress through education, more than doubling between year 7 and year 11. By Year 11, understanding of apprenticeships is approaching that of A Levels, while awareness of T Levels continues to increase.

The data shows sustained careers education, employer engagement and exposure to different pathways are helping more learners to make informed decisions about their next steps.

2. The support schools are providing to help young people understand and progress onto apprenticeships and technical pathways 

Since the introduction of the Provider Access Legislation (PAL) in 2023, schools and colleges have made steady progress in providing learners with opportunities to engage with apprenticeship and technical education providers.

Performance has improved over time and is strongest in Key Stages 4 and 5. Further progress is still needed in Key Stage 3 to ensure all young people receive timely information about the full range of post-16 pathways.

3. The wider factors impacting transitions into apprenticeships and technical education 

While understanding of technical pathways has improved, systemic factors continue to influence young people's ability to progress into apprenticeships and technical education.

The availability of opportunities, employer participation, access to training provision and local labour market conditions all play an important role. Evidence suggests that improved awareness must be accompanied by action to address these wider factors if more young people are to successfully transition into technical pathways.

Why it matters

Apprenticeships and technical education are increasingly important routes into skilled employment and economic growth. Understanding how awareness, access and opportunity interact helps schools, employers, providers and Careers Hubs target support where it is most needed.

This report provides a national evidence base to inform policy and practice, highlighting both the progress being made and the areas where further action is required to support successful transitions into apprenticeships and technical education.