Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Beatrice Barleon, comments on government apprenticeship figures
“Although there has only been a small increase in the number of apprenticeships starts in the engineering and technology sectors (1.6%), it is encouraging to see that more women are entering the engineering and technology workforce via this route. 17.5% of all apprenticeship starts in the sector are by women, compared to 15.7% last year, with 16,980 female apprenticeship starts overall.
"However, in light of the government’s focus on opening up more opportunities for all young people, it is concerning to see the continued decline and plateauing of Level 2 and 3 engineering and technology apprenticeships. Level 2 apprenticeships have declined a further 8.7% over the last year and stand now at 21,900 compared to 45,800 starts in 2017/18, while level 3 apprenticeship starts have remained stable with only a small increase of 1%.
"For government to achieve its mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower we need more young people coming through the education and skills system into the workforce. And for government to achieve and break down barriers to opportunity, we need these young people to come from diverse backgrounds and be more representative of society. Only then will we solve the skills shortages across the country.
"We therefore need more apprenticeship opportunities to open up and look to government to work with industry and young people to achieve this."
Other key stats
-
Apprenticeship starts by people aged 25+ in engineering and tech have increased by 9% from 2022/3, while starts by 19–25-year-olds dropped by 4.7% and starts by under 19s increased by 1.1%.
-
Apprenticeships starts by women in engineering & technology declined by 8% at Level 2, but increased by 9% at Level 3, 30% at Levels 4 and 5, and by 3% for Levels 6 and 7.
-
Level 6 and 7 (degree level) apprenticeships in engineering and technology have increased by 14%, now representing 10% of all 2023/24 starts.
For government to achieve its mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower we need more young people coming through the education and skills system into the workforce.
— Beatrice Barleon, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, EngineeringUK
