Only 160 young people enrolled in the UK government's new "foundation apprenticeship" programme in its first eight months, according to a report by the Fabian Society (a centre-left British policy think tank), raising doubts about Labour's pledge to tackle youth unemployment through a "skills revolution." The shortfall leaves the government far behind its target of 30,000 such starts by the end of this parliament; the scheme offers paid jobs with attached training for those aged 16–24, nearly one million of whom are currently not in employment, education, or training. The Fabian Society is urging ministers to overhaul the fragmented apprenticeship system — employer awareness of newer technical qualifications remains low — and is calling for a £311 million annual regional apprenticeship fund, while the government says further reforms will follow an autumn review into youth worklessness led by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn.