London Apprenticeships Update
2022/23
Ruth Moxon November 2023
Apprenticeships are a key tool for skills training, providing on the job experiences for both those entering the labour market or changing career paths. The Department for Education publishes regular data on apprenticeships across England which gives insight on the learning level, subject, demographics and location of apprentices. This helps to better understand how apprenticeships correspond with skill needs across England.
This update shows full-year final data on apprenticeships in London for the 2022/23 academic year (August 2022 to July 2023). It also reviews trends in apprenticeships starts and achievements over recent years and the profile of apprentices.
Note, the apprenticeship system has been subject to considerable changes in recent years. The introduction of the apprenticeship levy in 2017 and wider reforms to improve the quality of training has shifted apprenticeships towards higher levels at larger organisations. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic also caused a significant decrease in apprenticeship starts. Although volumes started to recover in 2020/21 and 2021/22, the most recent data shows a fall in starts.
In response to a fall in apprenticeship starts, the government announced in the Autumn Statement a new allocation of funding (£50m over the next two years in England) to increase apprenticeship growth areas and address barriers to entry in high-value apprenticeships. However, relative to other skills funding in London (such as the Adult Education Budget) the scale of this new funding announcement is very limited.
Summary of key points
The number of apprenticeship starts in London fell in 2022/23 (36,120) and was still below 2018/19 levels (40,740). Similar patterns were seen across England. It is likely that both the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis are key reasons behind the fall in starts.
For the first time, the number of higher level (level 4 or above) apprenticeship starts was higher than the starts for intermediate (level 2) or advanced apprenticeships (level 3). Between 2016/17 and 2022/23, the number of higher apprenticeships starts more than tripled, while starts at intermediate level fell by over 70%.
The ratio of female to male apprentices has remained relatively stable in London over the last five years. In 2022/23, women accounted for more than half (54%) of apprenticeship starts in London. Similarly, the distribution of ages of apprentices has been similar over the last few years, with a small increase in the number of starts for those under 19.
The profile of people starting apprenticeships in London is ethnically diverse. In 2022/23, half of apprenticeship starts in London were by people from ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities), compared to 15% nationally.
Since 2019/20 apprenticeship starts increased for subjects in the following priority sectors (health, construction, IT), but declined in hospitality and limited for creative sector subjects.
Measuring apprenticeships
The Department for Education (DfE) publishes data on apprenticeships by academic year. Its latest apprenticeship data covers the full academic year (August to July) 2022/23, based on data from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR).
The DfE also publishes data on apprenticeships by industry characteristics, which matches the ILR to the ONS Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). This dataset provides more detailed information on the size and industry sector of the apprenticeship employers. Delays in data publication means that this dataset hasn’t been updated beyond academic year 2020/21 so this data is not summarised in this dashboard. For the 2020/21 data see: London Apprenticeship Update 2021/22
This update focuses on the number of apprenticeship starts and achievements in London. These are defined as follows by the DfE:
Starts: The number of apprenticeship programmes that begin in a given academic year. An apprentice is counted for each apprenticeship they start.
Achievements: The number of learners who successfully complete an apprenticeship programme in a given academic year (based on end-point assessment).
More information on the data used and a glossary of terms can be found on the DfE Website.
Trends over time
Across England, there has been a fall in apprenticeship starts over the last ten years. There was a sharp drop following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in 2017, with starts in London in 2017/18 around 7,450 below their pre-levy (2010/11 to 2016/17) average. The COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in starts falling, from 40,750 in 2018/19 to 33,890 in 2019/20.
Starts in London have fallen at a slower rate than nationally, however. Volumes also started to recover in 2020/21 and 2021/22, but in 2022/23 fell again to 36,120. It could be that the cost of living crisis discouraged individuals from starting apprenticeships, particularly because there is a lower minimum wage for apprentices.
A drop in apprenticeship starts has negative implications for London.
It shows a reduction in the opportunity for Londoners to gain new skills
and increase their employability. Additionally, it reduces opportunities
for businesses’ skills gaps and shortages to be filled, which in turn
can impact productivity and economic growth.
Starts Index
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Starts per 1,000
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships
ONS Population Estimate by local authority 16-64 population
Note:
Estimates are based on where students live.
Trends by regions
The charts below show that London has a relatively low number of people starting apprenticeships compared to other regions in England.
In 2022/23, 5.9 people per 1,000 population aged 16-64 started an apprenticeship in London, down from 7.4 in 2010/2011. The North East had the highest start rate in the latest academic year (at 11.1 starts per 1,000 population aged 16-64)
This gap is partly explained by differences in economic profile. For example, health and social work accounts for the highest volume of apprenticeships in England, but the sector accounts for a lower share of employment in London than in other parts of the country (10% of employees in London vs. 14% for the rest of England).
Similar trends are evident when looking at apprenticeship achievements. Again, London has the lowest rate of achievements relative to its working age population (at 2.7 achievements per 1,000 population aged 16-64 in 2022/23). The North East had the highest achievement rate in the latest academic year (at 5.7 achievements per 1,000 population aged 16-64).
The gap between London and other regions (for both starts and achievements) has narrowed in recent years, however.
Starts by
region
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Starts per
1,000 population
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships
ONS Population Estimate by local authority 16-64 population
Note:
Estimates are based on where students live.
Achievements
by region
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Achievements per 1,000 population
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships
ONS Population Estimate by local authority 16-64 population
Note:
Estimates are based on where students live.
Trends by level
The number of higher-level (level 4+) apprenticeships started by Londoners has increased significantly since 2016/17 (+250%), and is now higher than the starts for advanced and intermediate apprenticeships. In contrast, the number of intermediate level (level 2) apprenticeships has almost quartered (-71%). This shift has been especially pronounced in London and may partly be a result of government reform trying to shift the focus on quality over quantity. This was due to concerns about apprenticeships sometimes being low quality and not benefitting apprentices in the way they expected. However, there are concerns about who is affected by these changes.
Out of 36,120 apprenticeship starts in the 2022/23 academic year, intermediate apprenticeships represented 17% (5,960), advanced apprenticeships represented 40% (14,360), and higher apprenticeships represented 44% (15,800) of the London total.
As apprenticeships have shifting to being at a higher level (and consequently of longer duration) this increases the apprenticeship participation. In London, the total number of active learners increased to 80,790 in 2022/23 from 80,170 in the previous academic year, due to a rise in participation of those doing higher level apprenticeships.
What are the apprenticeship levels?
| Level | Equivalent education level | |
| Intermediate | 2 | GCSE |
| Advanced | 3 | A level |
| Higher | 4, 5, 6 and 7 | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor’s or master’s degree |
London
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
England
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Trends by demographics
The ratio of female to male apprentices has remained relatively stable in London. In 2022/23 54% of learners starting apprenticeships were female and 46% were male.
The age profile of people starting apprenticeships remains similar to 2021/22. There was a marginal increase in the share of younger apprentices (under 19) from a low of 10% in 2020/21 to 14% in 2022/23.
The percentage of apprentices declaring a learner learning difficulty and/or disability (LLDD) has increased from 9% to 12% (including unknown disability status) between 2018/19 and 2022/23.
The profile of people starting apprenticeships in London is ethnically diverse. In 2022/23, half of apprenticeship starts in London were by learners from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background, up from 47% in 2019/20. This is a far higher proportion than at the national level (15%).
Overall, these are positive trends that apprenticeships in London are reaching those who tend to have higher barriers to entering the labour market. The skills gained during an apprenticeship should help disadvantaged groups have better employment and labour market prospects.
Age
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Gender
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Disability Status
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Ethnicity
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Trends by subject
Apprenticeships in London are concentrated in a few sector subject areas. In 2022/23, for example, almost 6 in 10 (58%) apprenticeship starts were in Business, Administration and Law or Health, Public Services and Care-related subjects.
There has been a large fall in Business, Administration and Law apprenticeships since 2020/21 (-2,092), however, driven by a fall in the number of apprentices aged 25 years or over.
Starts by subject
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Achievements by subject
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and
traineeships.
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Trends by borough
Apprenticeship volumes also vary between London boroughs.
The highest number of starts in 2022/23 were among Londoners living in Croydon (1,933), followed by Newham (1,607). Excluding the City of London, the highest rate of starts relative to population aged 16-64 was Havering (9.2), and Bexley (9.2). Importantly, those from deprived areas in London are able to access apprenticeships. Since 2017/18 the distribution of apprenticeship starts across London has remained relatively consistent.
Starts by
Borough
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships.
Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database rights
[2015].
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Starts per
1,000 population
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships
ONS Census Population Estimate by local authority 16-64 population.
Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database rights
[2015].
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Achievements by
Borough
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships.
Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database rights
[2015].
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.
Achievements per
1,000 population
Source: Department for Education - Apprenticeships and traineeships
ONS Census Population Estimate by local authority 16-64 population.
Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database rights
[2015].
Note: Estimates are based on where students live.