Education and Skills Funding Agency
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Apprenticeships are in style

Apprenticeships are rewarding and give individuals the opportunity to begin their journey towards building excellent careers whilst gaining a qualification. Not only do they give valuable work experience and skills, but are also growing in popularity among both employers and young people according to figures released by the National Apprenticeship Service. 

The quarterly Apprenticeship Index reveals a 24% increase in Apprenticeship vacancies posted online on the Apprenticeship vacancies website between August and October 2013 (Academic Year Q1 2013/14) compared to the same period the previous year – 37,410 vacancies were advertised over the three months versus 30,230 in 2012.

But with online applications leaping by 43% (to 461,530), the Government is urging employers to create more Apprenticeship positions in order to meet the demand.

The Index also reveals that Apprenticeships are attracting increasing numbers of applications from female candidates.  Online applications from women have increased by more than half since 2012, with 216,100 applications made by females in the three month period, a 55% increase.  This has also served to narrow the male gender bias, with 47% of all applications for Apprenticeships made by females in 2013 compared to 43% the previous year.

Matthew Hancock MP, Skills and Enterprise Minister, said:

"These figures show that Apprenticeships are growing in appeal to young people, and yet more young women are seeking out this unique opportunity to earn while they learn and gain a recognised qualification while notching up vital work experience. 

"With new independent research revealing that one in five employers currently have former apprentices working in senior, board level, positions, it’s also very encouraging to see vacancies increasing and new employers coming on board. But with each online position attracting an average of 12 applications, demand continues to outstrip supply and I would urge more employers to consider how they can take advantage of this available pool of talent and grow their business through Apprenticeships.”

The greatest numbers of both applications and vacancies were in the Business, Administration and Law sector with 165,410 applications made during the period for some 15,550 Apprenticeships.  The sector with the highest ratio of applications to vacancies was Education and Training, which attracted an average of 27 applications per vacancy, followed by Arts, Media and Publishing (26) and Information and Communication Technology (20).  The lowest ratio, 10 applications per vacancy, was to be found in Retail and Commercial Enterprise and Science and Mathematics.

To apply for, or advertise a vacancy, please visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600. You can also download AV Search via the Android or iTunes app stores to find Apprenticeship vacancies in your area. For impartial careers advice, search online for “National Careers Service” or call 0800 100 900.

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