While recent official statistics have painted a pessimistic picture of the labour market for young workers, with 16- to 24-year-olds the greatest affected by increases in unemployment, our latest research suggests the labour market for graduates and apprentices is relatively buoyant. Apprentices typically earn well in excess of the statutory minimum and, as salary growth for graduates has slowed somewhat in recent years, the gap between salaries for degree apprentices and graduate trainees on completion of schemes has narrowed.
