Partner Article

Apprenticeship success rate reaches record high

A record number of people have successfully completed apprenticeships during the 2008/09 academic year, according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

10,000 people in the North East completed an apprenticeship, up from 7,600 in 2007/08, an increase of 31%.

The rise means the government has reached its target of 130,000 completions two years early, and the target pass rate of 65% has been surpassed with a 70.9% success rate.

Apprenticeships Minister Kevin Brannan said: “It’s great news that we’re seeing the highest ever number of people completing an apprenticeship, and that the success rates have jumped to over 70%.”

He added: “The figures speak for themselves: they show that apprenticeships today are rightly regarded as an excellent way to train and build the nation’s skills.

“As we rebuild growth, it’s essential that we continue to invest in people and their skills, especially in industries key to our future economic success.”

Durham saw the highest number of completed apprenticeships, up 19% to 1,900 with Darlington seeing a 100% increase with 400 completions.

Mr Brannan said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the people in the North East who have successfully completed an apprenticeship and all the businesses who continue to offer apprenticeships, even in difficult economic times.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .