Partner Article

Apprenticeship schemes are on the rise

The number of people going into apprenticeships has risen, according to data gathered over the academic year for 2011/12. Statistics released by The Data Service showed there was nearly a 64% increase in apprenticeship starts in the last year. Schemes launched at an advanced level saw the highest increase in take up rate, with 75% more people enrolling on these programmes, while higher level apprenticeship starts rose by just under 48%.

Data showed that 502,500 people started an apprenticeship in the last academic year, in comparison with 457,2000 the previous year. The Government has pushed to increase apprenticeships in the UK, and the statistics released today suggest it has been successful. The Skills Minister, Matthew Hancock, commented: “Hitting the half-million mark is a momentous achievement for this Government’s apprenticeship programme. It shows our passion for skills, and is a ringing endorsement from employers and apprentices alike, who are reaping the benefits of a more highly-skilled workforce.”

Rules surrounding apprenticeship schemes have become more strict to ensure that employers are getting a high standard of workers signing up. Mr Hancock added: “More must be done to ensure apprenticeships are more rigorous, higher quality, and more employer focused. There is much more to do to ensure everyone in our country fulfils their potential, but the apprenticeship programme shows the Government’s passion for delivering the skills Britain needs. And my message to employers is simple: apprenticeships make good business sense. I urge all employers to get involved.” The Government has plans to bring in more rigorous standards, including a condition that apprenticeships last 12 months as a minimum.

Commenting on the figures, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR, Tess Lanning, highlighted the need to encourage more young people into these schemes. She said: “The increase in apprenticeships is very welcome. But much of that growth has come from over 25s, rather than in places for young people. Over 25s now take 44% of all apprenticeships. What’s more, workplace skills training for adults has fallen by 275,400 places, suggesting that employers have simply shifted their workers onto apprenticeships in order to continue getting government funding.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .

Explore these topics

Enjoy the read? Get Bdaily delivered.

Sign up to receive our popular morning National email for free.

* Occasional offers & updates from selected Bdaily partners

Our Partners