Social Mobility and Apprenticeships Resource

Apprenticeships open doors to talent, opportunity and progression. They provide a route into skilled employment for people from all backgrounds — especially those who may not take a traditional academic path. Yet access to higher and degree apprenticeships is still uneven, with barriers around awareness, support, affordability and employer engagement limiting opportunity for many.

This resource has been created to help careers professionals, training providers, universities and employers strengthen their contribution to social mobility through apprenticeships. It brings together insights from a three‑part event series funded by the Office for Students (OfS), led by the University of Sussex (and supported by the University of Brighton and the University of Chichester), and developed and delivered by SCTP.

Whether you are a careers professional looking to embed social mobility into guidance practices, a training provider reviewing learner support strategies, or an employer considering how apprenticeships align with your diversity and workforce goals, you’ll find practical approaches, examples of good practice and clear recommendations.