Apprenticeship surveys and statistics

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has published the results of two surveys about apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship Evaluation: Learners Report, available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-survey-learners, presents the views and experiences of 9,000 apprentices and Apprenticeships Evaluation: Employer Report, available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-evaluation-employer,  presents the views and experiences of 4,000 employers.

The reports show that:

  • 78 percent of apprentices and 81 percent of businesses say they would recommend apprenticeships to friends or other employers;
  • 83 percent of apprentices say apprenticeship boosted their career prospects; and
  • 72 percent of employers say apprenticeships improved their product or service quality.

An infographic with the key findings is available at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/230389/Apprenticeship_Evaluation_Infographic_-_V2_-_FINAL_-_190813.pdf.

In addition the National Apprenticeship Service has published the latest data on Apprenticeship applications, which shows that:

  • Online apprenticeship applications have increased by 32 percent year on year, with 1.4 million applications made for vacancies in the past 12 months;
  • Nearly 129,000 vacancies were posted online in 2012/13 compared to 101,000 in 2011/12, representing growth of 27 percent;
  • Each online vacancy is attracting an average of 11 applications; and
  • There were 102,450 applicants for Children and Young People's Workforce apprenticeships and 7,043 vacancies (14.5 applicants/vacancy).

For further information visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/news-media/latest-news/article358.aspx.

Lastly, the Chartered Institute for Professional Development (CIPD) has published research showing that half of young people would choose an apprenticeship.

Key points include:

  • 54 percent of young people in the UK would opt to undertake an apprenticeship if one were available to them;
  • 56 percent of university students would opt to undertake and apprenticeship if one were available; and
  • 66 percent of young people already employed but receiving no training would undertake an apprenticeship if one were available to them.

For further information visit www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2013/08/13/half-of-young-people-would-choose-an-apprenticeship.aspx.