Apprenticeships on the Rise: What the Latest Government Statistics Mean for Providers

Apprentice starts in England for the first three quarters of this academic year are up 8.7% on 2024/25 according to latest provisional statistics from the DWP and DfE.

Between August 2025 and April 2026, a total of 308,770 learners aged 16+ started apprenticeships, compared to 284,190 in the corresponding nine months.

Learner participation rose by 4.6% to 735,500 compared to 703,110 last year, while apprenticeship achievements grew by 14% to 146,210 against 128,290 in the last academic year.

Other key findings from the statistics, which are based on data returned by training providers in June 2026, reveal that:

• Higher apprenticeship starts increased by 13.6% to 126,660 compared to 111,520 in the same period last year. Higher level comprises: Level 4 (41,430 starts, up 15.7%); Level 5 (31,290, starts up 20.6%); Level 6 (25,140, starts up 4.9%); Level 7 (28,800 starts, up 11.6%)
• Sector-wise, Business, Administration and Law accounted for the highest number of starts at 95,980.
• In Construction, Planning and the Built Environment – an area identified by the government as having acute skills shortages – starts grew by 5% to 23,900.
• Starts supported by Apprenticeship Service Account (ASA) levy funds have accounted for 67.3% so far in 2025/26.
• Foundation apprenticeships continued to grow in popularity, accounting for 160 for all starts. These shorter programmes were launched almost a year ago and provide entry level training for 16- to 21-year-olds in sectors with serious skills gaps, including construction, engineering, digital and social care.

Learner profiles

Apprenticeships remain the career pathway of choice for growing numbers of school and college leavers of all abilities and backgrounds, these latest figures would suggest.

Under 19s accounted for 20.6% (63,530) of apprenticeship starts, while learners recorded as having a learning difficulty/disability (LLDD) rose by 9.2%, to 49,650 against 45,470 the year before. These learners made up 16.7% of the cohort, compared to 16.6% in the corresponding nine months.

Apprentices from ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities) backgrounds increased by 21.7% to 59,240 from 48,700 in the same period last year. These learners accounted for 19.5% of the cohort, compared to 17.4% in 2024/25.

Managing your apprentices with Onefile

As these latest government statistics reveal, interest in apprenticeships continues to increase, particularly among higher level apprenticeships, which encompass programmes at level 4 and above.

At entry level, new foundation apprenticeships, which typically take eight months to complete, are also gradually gaining momentum, with onsite trades, engineering and building services among the best represented sectors. As from April 2026, foundation apprenticeships were expanded to allow for the roll out of two more sectors: catering and hospitality; and retail service, supply and administration.

As the leading learner management platform, Onefile can support you to manage learning for all apprentices, whatever their level or occupation standard. We have the EdTech tools, in-depth knowledge and vast experience to assist you at every stage of the learning journey, tracking learner progress, keeping you compliant and helping you unlock vital apprentice funding.

Book a discovery call to discuss how Onefile can help you manage your apprenticeships.