Levelling the Playing Field – Apprenticeships as a Gateway for Youth in Sport

In today’s Britain, where youth unemployment and disengagement remain persistent challenges, the sports and leisure ecosystem presents an untapped opportunity to transform lives. With nearly one million young people classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) the need for inclusive, accessible, and aspirational pathways into the world of work has never been greater. The Youth Charter believes the UK Apprenticeship Levy, when strategically harnessed, offers just that: a vehicle for equity, engagement, and economic opportunity.

Sport is far more than physical activity or entertainment; it is a tool for education, personal development, and social inclusion. The industry surrounding it, i.e. coaching, health, business, events, facilities, and technology can be a career ecosystem for school leavers, university graduates, and those disconnected from traditional education. Apprenticeships make this ecosystem accessible. They allow young people to “earn while they learn”, gain formal qualifications, and build confidence and life skills, all while contributing to a sector that drives health and community cohesion.

Yet, despite the promise, billions of pounds in unused Apprenticeship Levy funds are returned to the government each year. That is money that could support thousands of apprenticeships in grassroots football clubs, local leisure centres, and elite professional sports teams. The Youth Charter calls for a systemic shift: large levy-paying organisations such as Premier League clubs and national governing bodies must transfer unused funds to community organisations working at the frontline of youth engagement. This would not only meet CSR targets but provide meaningful, long-term value to the communities these institutions claim to serve.

Crucially, the Youth Charter insists that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) must be the golden thread in this mission. The diversity we see on the pitch must be reflected in coaching, boardrooms, and backroom operations. Levy-funded apprenticeships must target young women, Black and Asian youth, those with disabilities, and those from economically deprived backgrounds. Inclusion should not be an initiative, it should be embedded in every role created, every hire made, and every policy written.

From coaching and community sport development to sports science, physiotherapy, and business operations, the range of apprenticeships in sport is wide and growing. Apprenticeship pathways can lead from the gym floor to leadership roles, proving that lived experience is as valuable as academic credentials. They provide an alternative to the university route, often with better long-term career outcomes for those less inclined to traditional education.

International comparisons highlight the urgency and potential. In Germany, nearly 60% of young people enter apprenticeships. In France, a national training tax fuels career opportunities. The UK has the structure through the Levy but not yet the culture or utilisation. That must change.

The Youth Charter’s vision is to create an ecosystem where the Levy funds a new generation of Social Coaches, youth mentors, sport practitioners, and community leaders, individuals who not only transform their own futures, but go on to inspire others. By embedding apprenticeships into both elite and grassroots sport, and by aligning this model with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), we can create a movement for equity and empowerment through sport.

The time for action is now. Apprenticeships must no longer be a peripheral option. They must become the foundation of a sport for development ecosystem where every young person sees a pathway, a purpose, and a place.