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The Department for Education (DfE) has published the latest statistics on the uptake of apprenticeships.

• Nationally, Apprenticeships starts are down by between 22-26%, but Digital Apprenticeships are already (Q1 & Q2) at 84% of last year’s figures
• 83% of employers intend to use digital apprenticeships for fill their skills gaps [1]
• 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship [2]

Whilst nationally Apprenticeship starts are down 30%, Digital IT Apprenticeships are bucking the overall trend (23,730 in Q1 & Q2, compared with 28,230 in 2016/17), with an estimated additional 3,000 studying for Digital degree Apprenticeships, which are not included in these figures.

John Pritchard, Head of Apprenticeships at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: “Despite the doom and gloom around the overall numbers, Digital IT Apprenticeships are hugely in demand, both by employers and apprentices. This is great news. It means apprenticeships are working for employers and apprentices alike.

In the digital space, where we will see so many of the future jobs appearing, apprenticeships offer a progression route from entry to Masters level which will enable career paths with true technical competence and professional recognition, and which, importantly are open to all.”

John continues: “To put this in to some sort of context, there is an assumption that in general, many apprentices don’t stay or complete - and therefore apprenticeships aren’t working. However, Digital IT Apprenticeships are bucking this trend, our training providers are reporting 90% are staying on with their employers once they finish their course which de-bunks this assumption. Digital IT Apprentices are sought after and in demand, and there are real opportunities for them in the market place proving the scheme is and will continue to be a success.”

Technology is part of everyday living and working and people with digital IT skills are required in every sector. The demand for professionals will continue to grow to support the pace of technological change. The new digital IT apprenticeship standards have been developed by employers to support the digital skills gap.

An apprenticeship is a real job with training and support. Apprentices are paid to learn, gaining industry recognised qualifications that will lead onto a professional career in a chosen specialism, whilst giving them the skills that employers are looking for.

There are many exciting digital IT roles embedded into every sector from security, finance, artificial intelligence, aviation, retail, healthcare, science, marketing, film, music and art to name just a few - technology unpins everything we do and is required in every business sector.

bcs.org/apprenticeships

[1] Source: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

[2] Source: gov.uk - National Apprenticeship Service