Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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Surveys show high value of apprentices

Surveys show high value of apprentices

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 14 May 2012

A new report will show that Britain’s apprentices are getting promoted, improving their confidence and taking on more responsibility in the workplace, Skills Minister John Hayes announced today.

The results are taken from the Apprentice Learner Survey of 5,000 apprentices and will provide fresh evidence of the real value of apprenticeships.

Key findings include:

Satisfaction amongst apprenticeships is high. Almost nine in ten apprentices (89%) were satisfied, rising to 92% amongst completers.


One third of individuals who had finished their apprenticeship had received a promotion (32%), and of those in work, three quarters reported taking on more responsibility in their job (75%).Three quarters (75%) of all former apprentices in work were taking on more responsibility. Eight out of ten apprentices believe that their apprenticeship has improved their ability to do their job, provided them with sector-relevant skills and knowledge, and improved their career prospects.Apprenticeships also equip individuals with the confidence they need to fulfil their aspirations, with almost nine in ten (87%) strongly agreeing that they are more confident about their own abilities as a result of undertaking the apprenticeship. Nearly two thirds (62%) agreed that the course had improved their overall quality of life.

A second survey of over 4,000 employers also shows high satisfaction rates among businesses.

Key findings include:

Satisfaction among employers is high. 88% employers were satisfied (with 69% being very satisfied) with the relevance of the training (just 4% were dissatisfied on this measure).85% were satisfied (with 66% being very satisfied) with the quality of the training provided by their provider (only 7% were dissatisfied). Nearly half (47%) had already recommended apprenticeships to other employers.

Mr Hayes said:

“I am delighted by these impressive survey results which show nine out of ten apprentices are satisfied with their training and a third have received a promotion as a result.

“We are succeeding in making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people and sending a crystal clear message that technical excellence is as essential and highly valued as academic prowess.

"However, while these survey results are excellent I am relentless in my focus on improving quality and we will use these valuable results to identify areas where more work is needed.”

David Way, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:

“We are very pleased to see high levels of satisfaction amongst employers and apprentices in these surveys.

“These findings will inform our work as we continue to raise standards and focus on ensuring that all apprenticeships offer a good experience as well as encouraging more young people and employers of all sizes and sectors to engage.”

A third report has also been published. ‘The Employer Investment in Apprenticeships and Workplace Learning’ is the first study into the net financial benefits of training to employers.

The study assesses the amount that employers themselves invest in apprenticeships. This ranges from £39,000 per apprenticeship (level 2 and 3 combined) in engineering to around £3,000-£4,000 in retail or hospitality.

The study also looks at the time it takes for an employer to recoup their investment where the apprentice is a new recruit, which averages at around one to two years.

Notes to editors 1. Online copies of all three reports will be available to download on Tuesday morning at www.bis.gov.uk. To get an advanced copy please contact the BIS press office.

2. The Government has recently announced a series of tougher standards to drive up the quality of apprenticeships. These include 12 month minimum durations for all apprenticeships from August 2012, except where 19+ apprentices have prior learning that means that a shorter period is possible and public funding is reduced, driving improvements in training and workplace learning.

3. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
bispress.releases@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Ashley Rogers.
Phone: 020 7215 5971
ashley.rogers@bis.gsi.gov.uk

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