The document discusses skills shortages within the British Asian community in Birmingham based on analysis of census data. British Asians have a younger population structure compared to the overall population, with more children and fewer elderly, indicating a need for more training opportunities. While the number of British Asians taking apprenticeships has increased, they still lag behind population expectations. Barriers include a perception that university or working for family are better options than apprenticeships. The Asian Apprenticeship Awards aims to showcase talent within the British Asian community and encourage more equal consideration of apprenticeships and university.

1. Asian Apprenticeships
Awards
Safaraz Ali
March 2017

2. The Key Drivers
Age Pyramids of the British Asian
Groups in Birmingham
• One in three British Asians are under 15, compared
with fewer than one in five overall.
• There are also fewer elderly Asian, with 4% aged
over 65, compared with 16% of the overall
population.
• This leading to skills shortages within the group

3. Ethnic Groups, 2001 – 2011,
England and Wales
5%
7%
2.5%
3%
10%
8%
3.5%
0.3%

4. Age Pyramids of the British Asian
Groups in Birmingham - Pakistani
* MAPPING OF RACE AND POVERTY IN BIRMINGHAM
Alessio Cangiano – ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and
Society (COMPAS, University of Oxford)

5. Age Pyramids of the British Asian
Groups in Birmingham - Indian
* MAPPING OF RACE AND POVERTY IN BIRMINGHAM
Alessio Cangiano – ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and
Society (COMPAS, University of Oxford)

6. Age Pyramids for Birmingham
– White British

7. The Key Drivers
Analysis of latest census data shows
More children and fewer elderly people help British Asian
population grow faster than population overall.
The low age range of the British Asian community shows a
disproportionate need for training in this group against the overall
population
With a younger population in relation to other groups such
as White British as shown in the diagrams there is clearly a
higher need for skills Training within British Asian
populations.

8. The Key Drivers
Population Growth
• After White British, the next biggest ethnic
group in Birmingham is Pakistani, making up
13% of the resident population
White British
residents
Asian/Asian
British
Black or Black
British
Pakistani
Change -13.0% 3.4% 2.9% 2.8%
-14.0%
-12.0%
-10.0%
-8.0%
-6.0%
-4.0%
-2.0%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
CHANGE
Population Growth by Ethnicity
* 2001 and 2011 Census Data

9. Apprenticeships Take-up
Ethnic Groups
• Since 2009/10 take up of Apprenticeships by British Asian/Asian has
gone up from circa 9,000 to 21,000
• However, this leaves the British Asian or Asian group falling behind with
only 4.2% entering apprenticeships 2.7% below that which is expected
from the population size.
* House of Commons Briefing Paper, Number 06113, 21 November 2016 Apprenticeship
Statistics: England
Percentage going to
University based on
numbers within
population
Percentage of Population
undertaking apprentices
based on numbers within
population size (built from
London data)
Unemployment
Rate
White 1.87% 0.78% 5%
British Asian / Asian 2.56% 0.56% 7%

10. The Key Drivers
• Many British Asians seeing University or working for a family
member the favourable choice with little thought or planning
given to apprenticeship opportunities.
• The removal of Uplifts under the new Apprenticeship funding
rules fro example in London will remove the driver for many
providers to target areas that are most in need of support
including those with high densities of British Asians
There is therefore a growing problem of a growing young
contingent within an underrepresented group, with low
perceived value given to apprenticeship training. In addition to a
misalignment of funding in relation to this underrepresented
group.
This leading to a polarisation of skills of those with either a
University Education or those left in a Skills Trap.

11. THE PURPOSE
• The Asian Apprenticeship Awards aims is to
showcase the range of talent and hard work within
the BME group which will be made possible with
the contribution of employers and learning
providers who share these beliefs
• Our ambition that it will become the norm for
young Asian people to choose between an
apprenticeship or university on an equal basis.