Our impact – Workwhile

Our vision is of an equitable world of work, where everyone has access to meaningful, lasting employment. Find out how our work contributes to achieving our mission.

On individuals

Apprenticeships deliver the greatest benefits for the most disadvantaged learners. But over recent years, the number of entry level apprenticeships has plummeted. We’ve created over 2,900 new apprenticeships created for low-paid, disadvantaged, and marginalised Londoners since 2020.

56%

Aged 25 and under

45%

From Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds

36%

Weren’t in full-time work prior to their apprenticeship, including 18% who were unemployed or NEET

Line management has a major impact on the progression of disadvantaged young people at work. Yet in SMEs, many are ‘accidential line managers’, without the training or infrastructure to enable them to excel. Through our DevelopMentor line management training pilot, we’ve trained the managers of over 200 young apprentices.

“There were cuts at work during the pandemic and I lost the job I previously had. I’m also on the autistic spectrum which affects my career in a more long-term sense – I’ve been passed over for promotion a couple of times in the past. This apprenticeship was an unexpected opportunity that I decided to take advantage of.”

Anonymous

Maintenance and engineering apprentice at Union Hand Roasted Coffee

“Because of the pandemic, there was no work experience, no learning opportunities or networking. I feel like it has put me back several years. The apprenticeship has been great - being able to work and get paid and get the experience I have, with no background in this industry.”

Natalie

Digital content producer at Visualist

“I also a lot of previous challenges looking for work as I kept getting denied for interviews. My interest in apprenticeships comes from on the job learning. I’m dyslexic, so learning while writing or reading is a struggle for me. Learning while doing is a much better way for me to go.”

Jack

Event technician apprentice at Entec

“My Apprenticeship will make a massive difference for my future career. Not only am I learning the technical skills but also the soft skills it takes to be a working professional which I can take with me anywhere I go in life.”

On employers

Over 750

SMEs supported to create new apprenticeships

Over 100

Apprenticeship levy payers supported to redistribute unspent funds

“The LPC have been very helpful in showing us how to set up and register apprentices as well as securing funding, recommending courses, and finding suitable training providers for us.”

David Shaw

Etec

“It’s purely giving me the comfort that these guys are there, they know the process a lot better than me, and they’ve given me a comfort that what they’re saying to me is correct.”

Anon

Small business leader

“I would recommend all businesses to give apprenticeships a go. You get staff who learn and grow into what you would like in a worker.”

Lorna

Once Upon a Time Day Nurseries

“We are a training office and usually recruit graduates. We decided to take on a school leaver on a longer ‘track’. Ours has only been a positive experience, and has encouraged us to consider similar recruitment this year. Two years in, our apprentice is a valuable member of the team.”

Gary

Warrener Stewart Chartered Accountants

On policy

The insights from our practical work drive our ability to improve systems and policies for people who struggle to access good work, both directly and through others. From influencing the government's support for apprenticeship levy transfer to the removal of the cap on the number of SME apprenticeships available, we've already made a difference.

Our recent report into the role of intermediaries in the English apprenticeship landscape identified the potential for a consistent level of support for SMEs to address the decline in entry-level apprenticeship opportunities. Read more here.
Polling that we commissioned to mark National Apprenticeships Week in February 2023 showed that 78% of the public think the Apprenticeship Minimum Wage is unliveable - and gained extensive national press coverage including this piece in the New Statesman.
The LPC has been widely cited as a model of best practice, including by the OECD.