Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the average change in wages is for a former apprentice three years after completion of their apprenticeship.

The average increase in wages for a former apprentice three to five years after completion of an advanced (level 3) apprenticeship is 16%, when compared to the average wage of a learner who starts but does not achieve an apprenticeship of the same level.

The equivalent increase for a former apprentice three to five years after completion of an intermediate (level 2) apprenticeship is 11%.

These increases can be compared to wage returns for further education qualifications in general of 9% and 11% for Level 3 and Level 2 qualifications respectively.

These findings are reported in BIS Research Paper Number 195, accessible at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/383646/Estimation_of_the_labour_market_returns_to_qualifications_gained_in_English_Further_Education_-_Final_-_November_2014.pdf