DfE suggested several possible reasons for the particular decline in participation in disadvantaged areas and among disadvantaged learners. First, it told us that there had been bigger drops in participation in lower levels of study than in higher levels. Second, it explained that it was harder in deprived areas to get employers to sponsor apprenticeships and jobs. And third, it said that large employers, who deliver skills training sometimes directly themselves and sometimes in partnership with FE colleges and other training providers, were less likely to be located in disadvantaged areas. DfE also acknowledged the scale of the challenge of levelling up in these areas.9