Tables 1 and 2 show the percentage of apprenticeship starts that were programme led apprenticeships by (a) age and (b) level in each year from 2005/06 to 2007/08, the latest year for which we have fully audited data. We expect these programme-led apprentices to have a strong link to the workplace. The following figures do not include programme-led apprenticeships in colleges on wholly further education based courses.
Percentage Level 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 Level 2-Apprenticeships 11.0 8.6 8.0 Level 3-Advanced Apprenticeships 5.1 5.5 3.7 Other 1.4 0.8 0.5 Total 9.1 7.5 6.5
Percentage Age 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 Under 19 11.9 9.7 9.2 19-24 5.6 4.7 5.1 25+ 1.6 1— 0.2 Total 9.1 7.5 6.5 1 Indicates nil or negligible Notes: 1. Figures are based on the number of programme-led apprenticeships in work-based learning. 2. The denominator used in the calculations includes all apprenticeship starts plus a very small number of starts on NVQ only programmes. Source: WBL ILR
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.