UK Apprenticeship Statistics (2026)

This document provides a thorough, data-driven overview of apprenticeship starts, participation, achievements, workforce demographics, and sectoral trends across England. All statistics are drawn directly from official government sources and sector research. No data has been estimated or extrapolated.

Apprenticeships in England are one of the most significant vocational pathways in the country. They combine workplace learning with structured training to deliver skilled workers across every major sector. The 2024/25 academic year data shows gradual stabilisation overall, though pressure on the pipeline of new entrants remains a concern.

The current apprenticeship scheme was launched in 1994. Starts did not exceed 200,000 until 2007/08, then rose rapidly in 2010/11 following increased funding, reaching approximately 500,000 per year by 2017/18. The introduction of a new funding system in May 2017 caused a significant fall in starts. The coronavirus pandemic in 2019/20 put further downward pressure on volumes.

In 2024/25, there were 353,500 apprenticeship starts in England, up from 339,580 in 2023/24. Participation stood at 761,500, up from 736,530, while achievements reached 198,300 compared to 178,220 the previous year.

Apprenticeship starts measure the number of people who newly began an apprenticeship in a given academic year. They are the primary indicator of pipeline health. The table below shows national starts from 2017/18 to 2024/25, broken down by funding type.

Year	Total Starts	Levy Funded	Non-Levy
2017/18	375,760	186,040	189,720
2018/19	393,380	223,910	169,460
2019/20	322,530	209,280	113,250
2020/21	321,440	205,330	116,110
2021/22	349,190	225,590	123,600
2022/23	337,140	229,720	107,410
2023/24	339,580	231,010	108,570
2024/25	353,500	243,340	110,160

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Apprenticeships, Academic Year 2025/26

Levy-supported starts have grown from 186,040 in 2017/18 to 243,340 in 2024/25. Non-levy starts fell sharply after the 2017 funding reform, dropping from 189,720 to 110,160 in 2024/25. This reflects the maturing of the Apprenticeship Levy system and the reduced co-investment available to smaller employers outside the levy.

Participation measures the total number of people actively enrolled in an apprenticeship at any point during the academic year, regardless of when they started. It is a broader figure than starts alone and gives a clearer picture of the overall scale of the system.

Year	Total	Intermediate	Advanced	Higher
2010/11	665,900	415,200	247,200	3,500
2015/16	899,400	513,600	368,600	43,800
2017/18	814,800	374,400	372,400	84,200
2019/20	719,000	225,300	338,700	165,500
2020/21	713,000	185,400	326,400	207,900
2021/22	740,400	175,400	330,400	238,800
2022/23	752,200	161,800	333,400	261,300
2023/24	736,500	142,700	324,700	273,700
2024/25	761,500	132,900	330,100	303,700

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Underlying charts data by provision type, full year

The most significant structural shift in participation has been the move away from Intermediate (Level 2) apprenticeships towards Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4 and above). In 2010/11, only 3,500 people were enrolled on Higher Apprenticeships. By 2024/25, that figure had reached 303,700. Intermediate participation fell from 415,200 in 2010/11 to 132,900 in 2024/25 over the same period.

Achievements measure the number of apprentices who have successfully completed their programme. This is a key metric for understanding both programme quality and the number of workers entering the labour market with a fully certified qualification.

Year	Total	Female	Male
2020/21	156,530	78,590	77,940
2021/22	137,220	69,290	67,930
2022/23	162,320	83,630	78,690
2023/24	178,220	89,410	88,810
2024/25	198,330	103,180	95,150

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Learner Characteristics by Sex, 2025/26

Achievements have recovered strongly from the 2021/22 low of 137,220, which was depressed by pandemic disruption, reaching 198,330 in 2024/25. Female achievers now slightly outnumber male achievers (103,180 vs 95,150), which represents a reversal of the historical pattern.

Provider Type	2018/19	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Total	185,150	156,530	137,220	162,320	178,220	198,330
General FE College	61,520	40,250	31,880	33,130	35,670	36,010
Private Sector Public Funded	102,290	94,570	83,660	99,740	108,030	124,720
Schools	120	60	100	80	100	140
Sixth Form College	810	310	200	170	170	160
Special College	1,950	1,450	1,090	1,190	1,490	1,560
Local Authority	3,680	2,640	1,820	1,940	2,000	1,660
Other	14,780	17,250	18,480	26,070	30,770	34,100

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Headline Full Year by Provider Type (API)

Apprenticeships are classified into three tiers: Intermediate (Level 2, broadly equivalent to GCSEs), Advanced (Level 3, broadly equivalent to A-levels), and Higher (Level 4 and above, including degree-level programmes). The composition of starts has changed significantly over time.

Level	2017/18	2021/22	2023/24	2024/25
Intermediate (Level 2)	161,390	84,150	70,940	65,680
Advanced (Level 3)	166,220	151,310	146,520	147,090
Higher (Level 4+)	48,150	108,380	122,930	140,730

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Headline Full Year (API), 2017/18 to 2024/25

Level	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Total (all)	611	625	632	630	622
Level 2	494	500	502	503	504
Level 3	604	632	633	635	630
Level 4	540	547	542	532	515
Level 5	596	592	581	567	550
Level 6	1,054	1,043	1,041	1,022	997
Level 7	847	838	818	801	745

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Duration, Starts by Level, Age, Length of Employment

One of the most notable trends in recent years is the ageing of the apprenticeship cohort. Apprenticeships are no longer used predominantly by school leavers. The majority of new starters are now aged 25 or older.

In 2023, over 48% of apprentices who started were aged 25 and over. This reflects how apprenticeships are increasingly being used as a reskilling and professional development tool, both for existing workers and for career changers entering new fields.

Younger apprentices (under 19) are concentrated at Intermediate and Advanced levels. The 25 and over cohort is more likely to be pursuing Higher Apprenticeships, which are often employer-sponsored programmes designed to upskill existing staff.

Apprenticeship starts are now broadly split between male and female learners, though representation varies considerably by sector and level. Some routes remain heavily skewed, particularly in construction, engineering, and care.

Year	Total Starts	Female Starts	Male Starts	Female Part.	Male Part.
2020/21	321,440	171,800	149,640	345,270	367,720
2021/22	349,190	177,310	171,880	360,100	380,260
2022/23	337,140	172,510	164,620	364,850	387,300
2023/24	339,580	177,210	162,370	359,170	377,350
2024/25	353,500	185,500	168,000	375,490	385,990

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics — Learner Characteristics Ethnicity by Sex, 2025/26

Female starts have consistently exceeded male starts since 2020/21. In 2024/25, 185,500 women started apprenticeships compared to 168,000 men. Female achievers also slightly outnumber male achievers (103,180 vs 95,150). It is worth noting that this overall balance does not reflect equal representation across all sectors. Construction, engineering, and manufacturing continue to see very low female participation rates.

Data on the ethnicity of apprenticeship learners shows a picture of growing diversity. According to the House of Commons Library briefing, the proportion of BAME learners increased from 12.8% to 19.2% in recent years.

Ethnic Group	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Total Starts	321,440	349,190	337,140	339,580	353,500
Ethnic minorities (excl. white)	44,850	50,400	51,110	55,280	62,880
Asian / Asian British	19,280	22,320	23,180	24,730	28,490
Black / Afr. / Caribbean / Black British	13,200	13,580	13,460	15,090	17,450
Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups	9,520	11,490	11,260	12,030	13,200
Other ethnic group	2,850	3,010	3,220	3,430	3,740
White	269,170	293,180	280,920	279,320	285,660
Unknown	7,430	5,620	5,100	4,980	4,970

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Learner Characteristics Ethnicity, 2020/21 to 2025/26

The proportion of apprenticeship learners with a declared learning difficulty or disability has grown, rising from 11.2% to 16.1% of starts. This reflects both improved identification and a broader push towards inclusive employment across the sector.

Characteristic	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Total Starts	321,440	349,190	337,140	339,580	353,500
With learning difficulty / disability	38,620	47,510	49,870	53,150	56,810
No learning difficulty / disability	273,160	290,760	276,100	273,960	283,630
Unknown	9,670	10,930	11,160	12,480	13,070

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Learner Characteristics by Learning Difficulty / Disability, 2025/2

Apprenticeship starts span a wide range of subject and sector routes. Business and Administration is the largest route at 71,440 starts in 2024/25. Digital has shown the strongest growth, rising from 14,760 in 2020/21 to 31,410 in 2024/25, as technology skills have become increasingly central to employer requirements.

Subject / Route	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Business and Administration	70,790	64,020	62,710	66,030	71,440
Health and Science	27,910	31,790	31,420	32,260	29,810
Care Services	38,750	34,100	30,770	31,640	34,540
Engineering and Manufacturing	22,670	27,670	30,250	31,110	31,680
Legal, Finance and Accounting	19,630	23,720	24,030	24,170	26,720
Education and Early Years	25,860	29,040	30,280	31,480	36,280
Digital	14,760	18,850	22,490	26,060	31,410
Construction and the Built Env.	28,400	38,690	33,610	33,450	33,230
Sales, Marketing and Procurement	26,010	24,850	21,060	19,980	18,110
Protective Services	11,470	14,100	15,220	9,050	8,190
Transport and Logistics	9,060	11,370	8,540	8,050	8,430
Catering and Hospitality	7,800	13,210	11,660	10,880	10,310
Agriculture, Env. and Animal Care	5,390	6,710	6,630	6,450	6,290
Hair and Beauty	7,080	7,950	6,440	7,410	5,770
Creative and Design	1,570	1,400	1,430	1,430	1,260
TOTAL	321,440	349,190	337,140	339,580	353,500

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Subjects: Starts by Route, 2020/21 to 2024/25

The House of Commons Library notes that over three-quarters of all starts are concentrated in four subject areas: Business, Administration and Law; Health, Public Services and Care; Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies; and Digital Technology. STEM apprenticeship starts reached 98,140 in 2024/25, up from 76,310 in 2020/21.

Apprenticeship activity is not evenly distributed across England. When adjusted for population, the South West leads with 1,115 starts per 100,000 people in 2024/25. London (643) and the North East (600) record the lowest rates relative to their population size.

Region	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	Rate/100k
North East	17,310	19,700	18,450	18,710	18,580	600
North West	45,860	50,370	48,690	49,320	50,580	1,045
Yorks. & The Humber	36,520	39,670	38,340	37,730	38,490	1,089
East Midlands	26,080	31,520	30,470	30,040	30,900	982
West Midlands	36,130	38,860	37,970	37,520	38,720	1,012
East of England	31,800	34,860	33,590	34,540	37,010	919
London	36,930	37,790	36,120	37,700	40,380	643
South East	49,020	53,070	51,630	52,510	55,260	929
South West	36,430	39,900	37,970	37,670	39,790	1,115

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Geography Region: Starts by Age, Level, 2020/21 to 2025/26

Region	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	Rate/100k (2024/25)
North East	9,390	10,100	11,170	655
North West	23,760	25,860	28,480	588
Yorks. & The Humber	19,350	20,850	22,560	638
East Midlands	14,220	16,170	17,860	568
West Midlands	17,920	19,910	22,430	586
East of England	16,210	18,230	20,420	507
London	16,140	17,870	20,820	332
South East	24,100	26,850	30,910	520
South West	19,420	20,460	21,620	606

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Geography Region: Achievements by Age, Level, 2020/21 to 2025/26

The length of time an apprentice has been with their employer at the start of their programme is a useful indicator of how apprenticeships are being used. The data shows a growing trend towards using apprenticeships to upskill existing staff rather than recruit new entrants.

Employment Length at Start	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Total	321,440	349,190	337,140	339,580	353,500
Up to 3 months	139,500	166,550	154,220	146,900	141,920
4 to 6 months	20,870	27,850	26,310	25,790	25,910
7 to 12 months	24,070	26,320	28,570	29,360	29,290
More than 12 months	131,470	123,520	124,260	134,650	153,720
Unknown	5,540	4,950	3,780	2,890	2,670

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Duration, Starts by Level, Age, Length of Employment

In 2024/25, 153,720 starts were by people who had been with their employer for more than 12 months, accounting for 43.5% of all starts. This compares to 131,470 (40.9%) in 2020/21. The trend confirms that apprenticeships are increasingly being used for workforce development and continuing professional development rather than for entry-level recruitment.

Apprenticeship training is delivered through several provider types. Private sector publicly-funded providers now account for 241,530 starts in 2024/25, representing 68.3% of all starts. General FE College starts have declined from 93,200 in 2018/19 to 56,260 in 2024/25.

Provider Type	2018/19	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Total	393,380	321,440	349,190	337,140	339,580	353,500
General FE College	93,200	59,500	65,280	58,700	58,280	56,260
Local Authority	5,600	3,570	3,240	2,580	2,350	2,280
Private Sector Public Funded	249,060	206,860	227,620	220,820	226,470	241,530
Schools	200	110	140	200	210	220
Sixth Form College	890	630	510	340	320	340
Special College	2,420	2,000	2,670	2,250	2,350	2,320
Other	42,000	48,860	49,720	52,260	49,410	50,540

Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics, Headline Full Year by Provider Type (API), 2018/19 to 2024/25

Construction apprenticeships fall within the Construction and the Built Environment route, which recorded 33,230 starts in 2024/25. While this places it among the larger routes by volume, the sector's own estimates suggest that demand for skilled workers significantly outstrips what the current training pipeline can deliver.

Year	New Construction Apprentices	Change
2021/22	19,960	—
2022/23	26,060	+30.6%
2023/24	24,630	-5.5%
2024/25 (latest)	24,590	+1.9%

Source: Protrade: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026

Despite signs of stabilisation, new construction apprenticeship starts remain well below the levels needed to meet long-term workforce demand. The 2024/25 figure represents the first year of growth since the 2021/22 post-pandemic peak.

The CITB estimates that an additional 150,000 homebuilding workers are needed to meet the government's target of 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current parliament. This is in addition to the 250,000 workers needed by 2028 to meet forecast construction demand, as identified in the Construction Skills Network report. CITB research shows that starts fell by 34% between 2015 and 2023, with the steepest decline among under-19s, where starts fell by 41%. The CITB estimates that annual starts would need to triple from current levels to meet industry demand.

Approximately 82,000 construction apprentices are currently enrolled in learning across Great Britain, with around 33,000 having started in 2023/24. The CITB, working with the government and the National House Building Council, has jointly invested £140m into Homebuilding Skills Hubs. These hubs are designed to deliver fast-track apprenticeships and improve overall training quality.

Year	Male Starts	Female Starts	Female %
2021/22	18,470	1,490	7.5%
2022/23	22,270	1,930	8.0%
2023/24	22,270	2,060	8.5%
2024/25	21,810	2,430	10.0%

Source: Protrade: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026

Female participation in construction apprenticeships has reached record levels, with 2,430 starters in 2024/25, a 9% increase on the previous year. Women now account for 1 in 10 new construction apprentices. While the sector remains heavily male-dominated, this growth points to a meaningful shift in the diversity of entrants.

Year	Apprentices from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds	Year-on-Year Change
2020/21	1,180	15% decrease
2021/22	1,880	42% increase
2022/23	1,900	12% increase
2023/24	2,040	7% increase
2024/25	2,275	18% increase

Source: Protrade: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026

2024/25 was a record year for ethnic diversity in construction apprenticeships, with 2,275 starters representing an 18% year-on-year rise. This brings the total close to double the 2019/20 levels.

Age Group	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
16	4,160	4,010	4,040
17	3,620	3,760	3,470
18	4,410	4,570	4,450
19–24	8,270	8,310	8,040
25–34	2,530	2,480	2,500
35–44	800	860	900
45–59	400	420	410
60+	50	40	35

Source: Protrade: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026

The 35 to 44 age group showed the strongest growth at 6% in 2024/25. Apprentices aged 16 to 18 remain broadly flat, with 17 year olds showing a slight decline. Those aged 19 to 24 remain the dominant age group within construction.

Rank	Region	New App. 2023/24	New App. 2024/25	% Change
1	South West	4,240	4,500	+6.16%
2	South East	3,280	3,390	+3.05%
3	East of England	3,180	3,100	-1.99%
4	Yorks. & The Humber	2,400	2,320	-3.33%
5	East Midlands	2,150	2,270	+5.58%
6	North West	2,390	2,390	0%
7	West Midlands	2,160	2,130	-1.43%
8	North East	2,030	1,970	-2.96%
9	London	1,960	1,990	+1.53%

Source: Protrade: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026

The South West remains the leading region for new construction apprentice starts. The East Midlands recorded the strongest growth at 5.58% in 2024/25. London, despite being the country's largest economy, records the fewest new construction apprentices at 1,990 starts.

Only one in five construction businesses (21%) employs an apprentice, and just 10% employ more than one. Six in 10 construction apprentices are employed by businesses with fewer than 50 employees. 86% of smaller construction businesses say it is unlikely they will recruit an apprentice in the next 12 months. These figures highlight a structural challenge that goes beyond funding availability alone.

The overall apprenticeship dropout rate is 47%, meaning a significant proportion of those who begin a programme do not complete it. The non-STEM dropout rate stood at 52% in 2023. Common factors driving non-completion include programme design issues, limited employer support, financial pressures on apprentices, and mismatches between programme content and what employers actually need.

Apprenticeship standards include a 20% off-the-job training requirement, broadly equivalent to one day per week. Apprentices must spend at least 20% of their paid hours in structured learning outside of their normal day-to-day work activities. Employer groups scrutinise standards to help ensure the curriculum remains relevant to industry needs.

Apprentices contribute an estimated £550 million to the UK economy annually. As many as 80% of apprentices continue with the company that trained them. 46% of young school leavers consider apprenticeships as their next step after education, reflecting a significant shift in how the route is perceived by young people and their families.

The highest-paid apprenticeship roles include Software Development and Cyber Security, which can offer salaries in the range of £45,000 to £65,000 at the upper end. The Civil Service Cyber Security apprenticeship, for example, offers a salary range of £31,400 to £47,500.

The Apprenticeship Levy, paid by all employers with a payroll of more than £3 million, has been the defining structural feature of apprenticeship policy since 2017. Levy-supported starts grew from 186,040 in 2017/18 to 243,340 in 2024/25, meaning the majority of new starts are now levy-funded. However, small and medium-sized employers continue to face barriers when accessing co-investment funding and managing the administrative requirements of the system.

Apprenticeship statistics in England show a system that is maturing and diversifying, with meaningful structural shifts taking place. Total starts are recovering but remain below the pre-2017 peak. The composition of the learner cohort has changed considerably, with more women, more ethnic minority learners, more participants aged 25 and over, and a clear shift towards higher-level qualifications.

Sectors such as construction and the built environment face serious workforce questions that levy funding alone cannot resolve. Significant improvements in employer engagement, programme quality, and completion rates are also needed. England's apprenticeship system is one of the most substantial in the world, but closing the country's skills gaps will require sustained policy attention, employer leadership, and continued investment in training quality.

• DfE Explore Education Statistics, Apprenticeships, Academic Year 2025/26 (latest data: 2024/25)
• House of Commons Library Research Briefing: Apprenticeship Statistics for England (December 2025)
• Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) via Construction News, April 2025
• Protrade: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026
• Access Industry: 8 Important Apprenticeship Statistics in 2026
• Standout CV: Apprenticeship Statistics in the UK