The UK Government has unveiled a £725 million apprenticeship reform package designed to create 50,000 new opportunities for young people over the next three years, targeting youth unemployment while supporting economic growth. 

A £140m mayoral pilot will give local leaders new tools to link NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people with nearby apprenticeship roles. 

The reforms also remove a major cost hurdle for SMEs, with the state covering full apprenticeship fees for eligible under 25s. 

New foundation apprenticeships in areas like hospitality and retail, alongside expanded routes in digital, engineering, health and advanced manufacturing, aim to get more young people into work faster and into sectors where demand is rising.