Gov should be talking about ‘falling apprenticeships’, says John Lewis boss

The outgoing chair of John Lewis, Dame Sharon White, has claimed that the government should be discussing the reasons why apprenticeships are declining instead of the PM’s new national service plan.  

Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, White, who will step down as boss of John Lewis next February, said that she would like “much more conversation” about how the government is improving the skills of young people as apprenticeships are falling and businesses want to invest more in the practice.

This comes after Sunak declared that he would introduce national service for 18 year olds if elected in the next general election. According to the PM, the policy would “create a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.”

However, recent figures have suggested that the number of new apprenticeships has fallen by more than 40% since the training levy was introduced in 2017, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The number of young people starting on the programmes has dropped by 41% for under 19s and 36% for those aged 19 to 24.

White said: “We’re not spending enough time talking about skills and education”. She also added that John Lewis runs a lot of apprenticeships for 16 year olds, 17 year olds, and 18 year olds who may not be “destined for university but may want to have a great career”.

White added: “I think one of the issues is just as the the election campaign runs on, is the politicians on either side don’t get themselves straight jacket or box themselves in either on tax pledges or spending pledges, that either you’re having to row back on when in power or give yourself such limited room for manoeuvre.”