Learning providers across the world have had to adapt to delivering programmes for young people online due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has been a new experience for the majority of pre-apprenticeship and other work-based learning providers. Meanwhile, labour markets across the world are constantly changing and young people need a wide range of skills in order to build sustainable, successful, and rewarding careers.

L&W have developed a set of resources to support pre-apprenticeship providers with the design and delivery of high-quality programmes that support young people to enter apprenticeships.

  • A resource for providers for skills development on pre-apprenticeship programmes – Basic skills, digital skills, employability, and transversal/soft skills are crucial in preparing young people for an apprenticeship and for building successful careers. This practical resource will enable pre-apprenticeship providers to develop and enhance their programmes to ensure that young people are equipped with the key skills they need for the future.
  • A guide for providers on designing and delivering pre-apprenticeship programmes
  • A guide for providers on blended learning on pre-apprenticeship programmes – This new resource contains practical information and guidance to enable providers to learn from wider research and practice in delivering effective blended learning programmes. It draws on evidence and lessons learned from pre-apprenticeship programmes across the UK, Europe and more widely.

Designing and delivering pre-apprenticeships: a provider guide

This resource has been developed for pre-apprenticeship providers who want to develop and expand their programmes, and for providers who do not currently offer pre-apprenticeships but who plan to do so in the future.

Blended learning on pre-apprenticeship programmes: a guide for providers

This resource has been developed to support pre-apprenticeship providers to adapt to a blended learning approach and contains advice and guidance to support providers to learn from wider research and practice in delivering blended learning.

Skills development on pre-apprenticeship programmes: a provider resource

This resource has been developed for pre-apprenticeship providers who wish to develop and enhance their programme to ensure that young people are equipped with the key skills they need for an apprenticeship and their future career.

3 Tachwedd 2026

UK risks missing Net Zero target owing to shortages of skills and workers

New L&W research, commissioned by NOCN Group, reveals key sectors for decarbonisation lack the workers and skills for the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050.

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3 Tachwedd 2026

The road to net zero: How far have we come?

Commissioned by NOCN Group, this report finds that the number of people being trained in green skills and jobs is rising. However, current training uptake, qualification pathways and workforce readiness still fall short of what’s required to reach net zero.

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29 Hydref 2026

Time to make the Youth Guarantee real: A promise and plan for every young person

Ahead of the publication of the Milburn Review, L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans proposes five actions to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training.

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30 Medi 2026

From appetite to opportunity

This report for The St Martin’s Group draws on a survey of more than 1,000 HR decision makers to examine employers’ plans to recruit young people, the routes they expect to use, the barriers they face, and the support they need.

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12 Awst 2026

Small employers, big opportunities: apprenticeships for young people

Olly Newton, Executive Director at Edge Foundation, reflects on key messages from the Edge Foundation-sponsored workshop at Learning and Work Institute’s Employment and Skills Convention, exploring how small employers and local partners can support more young people into apprenticeships.

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22 Rhagfyr 2025

From confusion to clarity: rethinking England’s 670 occupational standards

L&W’s Stephen Evans and Pearson’s Donna Ford-Clarke reflect on findings from our recent research on England’s occupational standards – of which there are now more than double the number in countries like Germany and Switzerland.

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27 Tachwedd 2025

Responding to the full year apprenticeships data release

Learning and Work Institute’s Deputy Head of Research Dr Corin Egglestone responds to the full year apprenticeships data released on 27 November 2025.

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18 Tachwedd 2025

Responding to higher technical skills needs

Supported by Gatsby Charitable Foundation, this report explores employer and employee decision making about training and the development of higher technical skills.

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5 Tachwedd 2025

Responding to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review

Learning and Work Institute’s Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

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