On 28 January 2026, the APPUG hosted a breakfast roundtable exploring the Government’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher-level learning by the age of 25, what this target means in practice and examining the barriers currently limiting progression across academic, technical and apprenticeship routes.
Discussion focused on learner behaviour, system design, employer recognition, and the support structures needed to enable participation and completion.
Speakers included:
- Ginny Page, Director of Programmes, Education - The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- David Morgan, Chief Executive, Career Development Institute
- Claire Green, Post-16 and Skills Specialist, Association of School and College Leaders
- Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive, UCAS
- Professor Andy Dainty, Vice-Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor Education, Manchester Metropolitan University
Contributions highlighted the challenges young people face when making early decisions about their futures, often with limited information and against a backdrop of rising living costs. Participants discussed the need for clearer careers advice, better understanding and recognition of technical routes, stronger employer engagement, and a renewed focus on progression and completion, not just admission.
There was strong support for closer collaboration between universities, further education and employers, particularly at a regional level, to create clearer and more flexible progression pathways that support widening participation.