I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 February 2009, Official Report, column 741W.
[holding answer 3 February 2009]: Table 1 shows the 10 sector frameworks that have provided the largest number of apprenticeships in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08. This information was published in supplementary tables that accompanied the post-16 education statistical first release on 18 December 2008.
Information about companies providing apprenticeships is not currently available.
2005/06 Apprenticeship starts Customer service 15,700 Construction 15,500 Hospitality and catering 15,300 Business administration 15,100 Hairdressing 14,900 Children's care learning and development 12,300 Engineering 11,500 Health and social care 8,200 Retail 7,300 Vehicle maintenance and repair 6,700
Apprenticeship starts Construction 20,700 Hairdressing 17,000 Business administration 15,500 Customer service 15,200 Children's care learning and development 13,200 Hospitality and catering 13,200 Engineering 11,600 Vehicle maintenance and repair 8,800 Retail 8,100 Health and social are 7,400
Apprenticeship starts Customer service 21,000 Construction 20,400 Business administration 18,100 Hairdressing 16,500 Children's care learning and development 15,300 Hospitality and catering 14,900 Engineering 13,900 Health and social care 12,500 Vehicle maintenance and repair 12,500 Retail 11,800 Notes: 1. Volumes are rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. This table uses programme starts as a measure for comparative purposes. Full-year numbers are a count of the number of starts at any point during the year. Learners starting more than one course will appear more than once. 3. Programme-Led Apprenticeships recorded in WBL ILR returns are included in the above figures. Source: Work based Learning Individualised Learner Record
The Government are committed to rebuilding apprenticeships. Since 1997 we have witnessed a renaissance in apprenticeships from a low point of 65,000 to a record 225,000 apprenticeship starts in 2007/08. Completion rates are also at a record high with 64 per cent. successfully completing an apprenticeship—up from 37 per cent. in 2004/05.
The National Apprenticeships Vacancy Matching Service has been developed to provide a high quality service to employers wishing to recruit apprentices, and to young people and adults considering an apprenticeship. This service will help deliver the objective outlined in world-class apprenticeships to expand and improve the quality of our Apprenticeships programme. On the 4 March 2009, 3,755 vacancies were live on the system. In these early weeks since the system went live on the 12 January 2009, we have had confirmation from employers that 22 vacancies have already been filled via this service. Interest from individuals is high and since the national launch of the online vacancy matching system 26,035 people have registered as candidates to use the system. The system is not due to be fully open until 1 April.