A new report will show that Britain’s apprentices are getting promoted, improving their confidence and taking on more responsibility in the workplace, Skills Minister John Hayes announced today.

The results are taken from the Apprentice Learner Survey of 5,000 apprentices and will provide fresh evidence of the real value of apprenticeships. Key findings include: Satisfaction amongst apprenticeships is high. Almost nine in ten apprentices (89 percent) were satisfied, rising to 92 percent amongst completers. One third of individuals who had finished their apprenticeship had received a promotion (32 percent), and of those in work, three quarters reported taking on more responsibility in their job (75 percent). Three quarters (75 percent) of all former apprentices in work were taking on more responsibility. Eight out of ten apprentices believe that their apprenticeship has improved their ability to do their job, provided them with sector-relevant skills and knowledge, and improved their career prospects. Apprenticeships also equip individuals with the confidence they need to fulfil their aspirations, with almost nine in ten (87 percent) strongly agreeing that they are more confident about their own abilities as a result of undertaking the apprenticeship. Nearly two thirds (62 percent) agreed that the course had improved their overall quality of life. A second survey of over 4,000 employers also shows high satisfaction rates among businesses. Key findings include:Satisfaction among employers is high. 88 percent employers were satisfied (with 69 percent being very satisfied) with the relevance of the training (just 4 percent were dissatisfied on this measure). 85 percent were satisfied (with 66 percent being very satisfied) with the quality of the training provided by their provider (only 7 percent were dissatisfied). Nearly half (47 percent) had already recommended apprenticeships to other employers. Mr Hayes said: “I am delighted by these impressive survey results which show nine out of ten apprentices are satisfied with their training and a third have received a promotion as a result. “We are succeeding in making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people and sending a crystal clear message that technical excellence is as essential and highly valued as academic prowess. “However, while these survey results are excellent I am relentless in my focus on improving quality and we will use these valuable results to identify areas where more work is needed.”

David Way, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “We are very pleased to see high levels of satisfaction amongst employers and apprentices in these surveys. “These findings will inform our work as we continue to raise standards and focus on ensuring that all apprenticeships offer a good experience as well as encouraging more young people and employers of all sizes and sectors to engage.” A third report has also been published. ‘The Employer Investment in Apprenticeships and Workplace Learning’ is the first study into the net financial benefits of training to employers.

The study assesses the amount that employers themselves invest in apprenticeships. This ranges from £39,000 per apprenticeship (level 2 and 3 combined) in engineering to around £3,000-£4,000 in retail or hospitality. The study also looks at the time it takes for an employer to recoup their investment where the apprentice is a new recruit, which averages at around one to two years.