9 February 2026 Opening Doors to apprenticeships for the young people who need them most
At The Talent Foundry, we believe every young person deserves the chance to step confidently into the world of work. Our programmes open doors to apprenticeships with leading employers, providing the skills, knowledge and guidance required to turn ambition into opportunity.
In late 2025, the Prime Minister announced one of the biggest overhauls of post-16 and higher technical education, including a national target for two-thirds of young people to be in higher-level learning by age 25 across academic, technical or apprenticeship routes.
This National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February), we’re shining a spotlight on the pathways we help create – ones which result in meaningful employment opportunities for the young people who need them most.
Why apprenticeships matter
For many young people, the financial barriers to training and qualifications prevent them from progressing. Unpaid internships, self-funded training or university are often out of reach, and without these things, they can struggle to gain a foothold in the workplace.
This is where apprenticeships come in, offering much more than just practical training.
Apprenticeships provide a pathway to a rewarding career. Young people earn while they learn, gain qualifications and avoid student debt.
Opening doors to opportunity
However, competition for apprenticeship places is high, as there are not enough opportunities. This level of competition disproportionately affects young people without professional networks, family connections or access to informal work experience.
Our programmes help by giving students the guidance, experience and confidence they need to succeed. Through practical workshops, mentoring from industry professionals, exposure to the world of work and mock assessment centres, we help applicants stand out in competitive recruitment processes.
Tailored support helps students build skills and learn how to navigate their own career choices. Hearing how volunteers overcame obstacles makes young people realise that they can, too.
Real-world apprenticeship successes
Students who have participated in our programmes in partnership with Co-op, M&G plc, Mace, Barclays and KPMG UK have gone on to secure apprenticeships with these employers, demonstrating the real-world impact of extended workplace exposure.
The story of Haaris from the Bridge to M&G programme highlights this impact.
Haaris initially had limited awareness of apprenticeships and the financial services sector, but through workshops, coaching, mentoring, and a summer residential, his understanding and confidence increased dramatically.
Haaris developed key communication and teamwork skills, refined his CV with one-to-one mentoring and gained insights into life at M&G plc by speaking to employees and apprentices. This preparation helped him secure a role as an Apprentice Analytics Developer at the firm, working towards a Level 4 Apprenticeship, and he has since returned to volunteer at Talent Foundry workshops, supporting a new cohort of students.
Strategic impact
Our partnership with Reds10 and Driffield School also demonstrates how apprenticeship awareness can be built into education.
In 2026, we launched a new initiative with Reds10 that will introduce the Construction T-Level as an alternative to A Levels, providing two pathways into the construction industry:
- Professional pathway: through the T Level
- Vocational pathway: through apprenticeships
Students on the programme will be actively working towards securing apprenticeships in future years.
Preparing students for a future they can confidently choose
Our programmes provide hands-on experience, professional guidance, and a clear route into employment, enabling young people to make informed choices about their futures while building the skills and confidence needed to succeed in apprenticeships and beyond.
The Talent Foundry is committed to expanding access to apprenticeships and career opportunities nationwide, ensuring that all young people, irrespective of their postcode, can access the working world.