Ruth Moxon December 2024


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 2023/24 academic year (August 2023 to July 2024). 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.

In the Autumn Budget, the Government announced a change to the apprenticeship levy to a broader growth and skills levy, so that they levy can be used more flexibly including shorter and foundation apprenticeships in key sectors. Future London apprenticeship releases will show how this policy has impacted London apprenticeships.


Summary of key points


  • The number of apprenticeship starts in London rose marginally in 2023/24 to 37,700 (from 36,120 in 2022/23). The number of apprentices in London has remained at a relatively constant level per 1,000 population over the last four years.

  • Higher level (Level 4 or above) apprenticeship starts still have the highest share of apprenticeship starts in London (46%). Between 2016/17 and 2023/24, the number of higher apprenticeships starts nearly quadrupled, 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 2023/24, women accounted for more than half (56%) 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 2023/24, half of apprenticeship starts in London were by people from ethnic minorities (excluding White Minorities), compared to 16% nationally.

  • Apprenticeships in London are concentrated in a few sector subject areas. In 2023/24, for example, almost 6 in 10 (59%) apprenticeship starts were in Business, Administration and Law or Health, Public Services and Care-related subjects.

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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) 2023/24, based on data from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR).

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.

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More information

The DfE also publishes data on apprenticeships by industry characteristics, which matches the ILR to the ONS Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) using the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset. This dataset provides more detailed information on the size and industry sector of the apprenticeship employers. London’s results by industry can be found in London apprenticeships industry update 2021/22

The AEB provides classroom based vocational training for Adults. From 1 August 2019, the Secretary of State for Education delegated responsibility for the commissioning, delivery and management of London’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) to the Mayor. London’s AEB further education statistics are published online on the London datastore. These include for instance, breakdowns by funding model, level of learning and background characteristics, and detailed figures by Sector Subject Area (Tier 1 and Tier 2).

The outcomes of the GLA’s AEB are monitored through the London Learner Survey (LLS). Through the London Learner Survey (LLS), the GLA are measuring how learners’ lives change after they complete their learning, whether that is, for instance, improvements in their health and wellbeing, progression in work or learning or entering new employment.

Results for the 2023/24 London Learner Survey will be published in the summer of 2025. The results from the academic years 2021/22 and 2022/23 and methodological information can be accessed on the datastore: London Learner Survey

Any enquiries should be emailed to Ruth Moxon.