(2) how many learners were on advanced apprenticeships funded by the Learning and Skills Council at the end of each quarter of 2007-08.
Table 1 shows the number of Train to Gain and work-based learning starts by quarter for the 2007/08 academic year.
Quarter Train to Gain starts Work-based learning starts1 August to October 2007 73,100 102,600 November 2007 to January 2008 75,800 48,500 February to April 2008 92,200 59,900 May to July 2008 90,600 69,500 2007/08 total 331,800 280,600 1 Apprenticeship starts have not historically been spread uniformly throughout the academic year. It is usual to see a peak in starts in the first quarter of the year, followed by a lower level of starts in the second quarter and then a gradual increase until the year end.
Table 2 shows the number of advanced apprenticeship starts by quarter for the 2007/08 academic year.
Quarter Starts1 August to October 2007 28,000 November 2007 to January 2008 11,600 February to April 2008 15,800 May to July 2008 17,500 2007/08 Total 73,000 1 Apprenticeship starts have not historically been spread uniformly throughout the academic year. It is usual to see a peak in starts in the first quarter of the year, followed by a lower level of starts in the second quarter and then a gradual increase until the year end. Notes: 1. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. Figures for advanced apprenticeships include Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA) to be consistent with information published in statistical first releases. HLA numbers are currently too small to include as a separate category. 3. Work-based learning figures include apprenticeships, Entry to Employment and a small number of NVQ learners. Source: WBL ILR
In “World-Class Apprenticeships”, we announced that we were changing the way we count apprenticeships, moving to counting the number of people starting an apprenticeship in the year (‘starts') and the percentage who complete an apprenticeship (‘completion rate').
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 Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has, through the LSC, conducted a number of evaluations examining the effectiveness of skills training courses. These are as follows:
Published reports:
Train to Gain evaluation—waves 1, 2 and 3
Evaluations currently in progress:
Train to Gain wave 4
Employability Skills Programme
Apprenticeship for Adults and
Skills for Jobs
These reports are due to be published during summer 2009.
Regarding outcomes; this information is not readily available for particular programmes or course, although one-off studies of leavers from FE have in the past looked at their destinations. This type of information will in future be collected using the Framework for Excellence learner destination survey with the first results for all FE colleges and work based learning providers available in spring 2009.
These destination data are not measured for Train to Gain participants.