Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what modelling his Department has done on the further employment prospects of those starting an apprenticeship during the current Parliament; and what estimate he has made of the rate at which he expects apprentices to secure employment following their apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships provide high quality training to ensure full competence in an occupation, increasing the apprentice’s employment prospects.

Latest data show that around 90% of apprentices are employed on completion of their apprenticeship training, 71% with the same employer.

The value that apprenticeships add is also clear in the increased earnings potential of former apprentices. The lifetime benefits associated with the acquisition of apprenticeships at Level 3 are very significant, standing at between £77,000 and £117,000^[1]. Higher apprentices could earn £150,000 more on average over their lifetime compared to those with L3 vocational qualifications^[2].

[1] London Economics (2011) – BIS Research Paper Number 53, Returns to Intermediate and Low Level Vocational Qualifications, September 2011’

[2] AAT and CEBR - Is a university degree the best route into employment?