Apprentice achievement rates show biggest improvement to date

Apprenticeship Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR) grew by 6% to 60.5% for the 2023-2024 academic year - the biggest rise since the apprentice standards were first introduced in 2017.  

Achievement volumes - the number of apprentices completing their programmes - also increased by 13% to 174,570 from 154,010, according to the latest figures released by the Department for Education. (DfE) 

In a letter thanking training providers for their efforts, Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, described the results as 'fantastic.' 

She said: "We have observed remarkable improvements from our providers, with almost a third recording 70% or above. Apprenticeships continue to deliver great outcomes. As outlined in the Department's Further Education outcomes publication, 94% of apprentices that achieve their apprenticeships go into work or further training; with 93% remaining in sustained employment.  

Apprentices who were participating in Level 2-5 apprenticeships in the 2021 - 2022 academic year will drive £25bn of economic growth over their lifetime, demonstrating apprentices' importance to our mission to grow the economy. We can only make this happen if more apprentices continue to complete their training." 

The DfE figures also showed that college achievement rates for standards rose from 57.4% to 62.4%, an increase of 5%, while those for independent training providers (ITPs) improved by 6.5% from 51.2% to 57.7%. Additionally, the data revealed that 90% of learners are with good or outstanding providers - up from 86% the previous year. 

Highlighting government measures aimed at enhancing apprenticeships for learners, employers and providers, Baroness Smith said she wanted to 'press on with these improvements and go further.'  

2024/2025 academic year - the story so far  

Provisional data on apprenticeships in England for the first two quarters of the 2024/25 academic year also suggest good progress. 

In the period August 2024 to January 2025, achievements stood at 78,970, up by 7.4% from 2023/24. The number of all age 16 plus learners participating on an apprenticeship in England was up 1.9 % to 633,600, while the number of programme starts rose by 1% to 202,520.  

Other headline facts and figures showed that: 

• Under 19s accounted for 27.9% of starts (56,470) 

• Higher apprenticeships continue to grow in 2024/25 with starts increasing by 8.7% to 76,970 against 70,780 in the same period of 2023/2024 

• Learners recorded as having a learning difficulty/disability (LLDD) increased by 4.9%, to 32,200 from 30,700 in the same period last year. This accounts for 16.5% of the cohort, compared to 15.8% in the previous year. 

• Learners recorded from ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities) increased by 9.0% to 33,470 from 30,710 in the same period last year. This accounts for 16.8% of the cohort, compared to 15.7% 

• Starts supported by Apprenticeship Service Account (ASA) levy funds accounts for 65.0% (131,550), so far in 2024/25  

• Starts at Level 6 and 7 increased by 12.5% to 36,570 compared to the same period last year. This represents 18.1% of all starts for 2024/25. There were 32,500 Level 6 and 7 starts in the same period last year, making up 16.2% of all starts. 

The continued upward trend in apprenticeship achievement rates and participation highlights the growing success of the apprenticeship system in England. With more learners completing their training and securing employment or further education, the impact on both individuals and the wider economy is evident. As the government pushes forward with further improvements, these positive developments reinforce the vital role apprenticeships play in shaping a skilled workforce for the future. With strong support from training providers, employers and policymakers, the momentum looks set to continue, ensuring even greater success in the years ahead. 

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