Early Years Education employers urged to ‘Commit to Youth’ and develop the next generation of childcare professionals

‘First Job. Future Career.’ campaign highlights the importance of apprenticeships, workplace support and career progression in creating opportunities for young people.

Early years education employers are being encouraged to play a greater role in tackling Britain’s youth employment crisis by opening up opportunities for young people to enter the profession, develop essential skills and build rewarding careers.

The call comes from Connect2EarlyYears – part of The Opportunity Provider (TOP) as it launches its national ‘First Job. Future Career.’ campaign into the early years sector. Central to the campaign is Commit to Youth, an initiative encouraging employers to make measurable commitments to creating opportunities for young people, supported by appropriate training and clear pathways for progression.

The campaign comes as the Government prepares to publish the next stage of Alan Milburn’s Independent Review into Young People and Work, following his interim findings earlier this year.

With an estimated 981,000 young people aged 16–24 not in education, employment or training, Connect2EarlyYears believes early years education should be recognised as one of Britain’s important career starter sectors.

The industry offers opportunities for young people to gain their first experience of employment whilst developing communication, teamwork, organisational skills, patience and responsibility. These valuable, transferable skills can provide the foundations for an entire working life, whether individuals choose to build their careers within early years education or pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Importantly, the campaign also highlights the significant financial incentives available to employers taking on young apprentices.

Under current Government arrangements in England, eligible apprentices aged 16–24 can have 100% of their training and assessment costs funded, up to the relevant funding limit. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy may also qualify for a £2,000 hiring payment for eligible new apprentices in this age group. Employers can also benefit from relief on National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25, subject to earnings thresholds. There is also a 16-18 bonus of £1,000 for all employers of apprentices aged 16-18.

Connect2EarlyYears believes greater awareness and take-up of this support could help more early years providers overcome some of the financial barriers to investing in the next generation.

Mike Worley, Managing Director of Connect2EarlyYears, says:

“Early years education is an incredibly important profession, offering the opportunity to make a lasting difference to children’s development whilst building valuable skills and experience.

“For young people with the right qualities and commitment, it can be a hugely rewarding first step into employment, helping them develop confidence, communication, patience, teamwork and a strong sense of responsibility.

“Many will go on to gain professional qualifications and build long-term careers in early years education, progressing into specialist roles, room leadership, nursery management and beyond.

“Others may take the skills and experience they develop into different professions, and that’s equally valuable. The important point is that we recognise the contribution early years can make in opening doors to employment and helping young people develop the foundations for their future careers.

“But a first chance must also be a good first chance. In a sector where children’s safety, wellbeing and development are paramount, it is essential that young people receive appropriate training, mentoring and supervision from the outset.”

The campaign recognises the pressures facing early years employers, including funding constraints, staffing costs, recruitment challenges and the need to maintain high standards of care and education.

It also highlights how apprenticeships can help providers develop both new entrants and existing employees, strengthening professional skills and creating opportunities for career progression.

Mike continued:

“Developing existing employees and creating opportunities for young people should not be seen as competing priorities.

“When experienced practitioners gain further qualifications and progress into positions of greater responsibility, they strengthen the nursery’s capacity to mentor and develop new entrants.

“That combination of opportunity, training and progression is fundamental to building a sustainable workforce and ensuring that early years education remains an attractive career choice for future generations.”

Through Commit to Youth, early years employers are encouraged to review recruitment practices, consider appropriate apprenticeship pathways, provide structured induction and mentoring and establish visible opportunities for professional development and progression.

Connect2EarlyYears can work with employers to explore suitable apprenticeship opportunities, identify training needs and support the development of new and existing employees.

The company is calling on early years providers to consider what practical commitment they could make to helping more young people access meaningful employment and rewarding career opportunities.