Apprenticeships
Councils are debating apprenticeship funding and access for young people, with some planning cuts due to costs.
Southwark Council is facing calls to enhance support for young people seeking apprenticeships, with concerns raised in October 2026 about inconsistent work experience provision and access difficulties. Meanwhile, the City of London Corporation plans to reduce its centrally funded apprenticeship numbers by more than a third over the next two years, citing rising employment costs and national funding changes.
The City of London's Corporate Services Committee heard in September 2026 that these reductions would see numbers decrease from up to 100 to approximately 65 by the end of 2026, and further to 55 by the end of 2027. In contrast, Bexley Council's commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities was praised by councillors in March 2026 as a vital pathway for career development.
Apprenticeships are training programmes that combine on-the-job experience with formal education, leading to qualifications. Discussions continue at councils like Southwark regarding how to improve pathways for young people into these programmes, while the City of London Corporation proceeds with its planned reductions.
Key facts
- Young people highlighted difficulties accessing work experience, internships, and apprenticeships at a Southwark meeting in October 2026. Source
- City of London Corporation plans to reduce centrally funded apprenticeships from up to 100 to approximately 65 by the end of 2026. Source
- City of London Corporation plans a further reduction of centrally funded apprenticeships to 55 by the end of 2027. Source
- Rising employment costs and national funding changes are cited for the City of London's apprenticeship reduction. Source
- Bexley Council's commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities was praised by councillors in March 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.