Crisis in Apprenticeships Whilst people have been distracted by what Brexit may or may not mean for business there has been a disastrous development which could have long term consequences for the economy, both locally and nationally. The numbers of young people beginning apprenticeships has fallen sharply across the country in the last year – down by a staggering 40% to just 160,000. For example, in November 2017, there were 27,000 apprenticeships begun compared to nearly 42