Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+

Business performanceApprenticeshipsDepartment for EducationLatest NewsEconomics, government & business

Apprentice drop-out rate hits 36% as recession bites

by Kat Baker 13 Jul 2009
by Kat Baker 13 Jul 2009

Over one-third of apprentices dropped out of training last year – but the shadow minister for learning has warned that retention rates could get even worse during the recession.

Government statistics revealed that 36% of those due to complete anapprenticeship in 2007-08 dropped out – compared to only 9% at universities.

Start rates for apprenticeships this year are already down on previous years. The number of 16- to 18-year-olds signing up for apprenticeships has fallen 8.3% from last year, while the number of 19- to 24-year-olds joining schemes was down 2%.

John Hayes, Conservative shadow minister for lifelong learning, told Personnel Today that while apprenticeship drop out rates had been decreasing year on year – the rate was 41% in 2006-07 – the recession could reverse this trend.

He said: “If you look at the completion rates over the past decade they have improved. But one of the problems we face is that with the recession that could change dramatically.

“My worry is that gradual improvement may well be put at risk by the recession.”

John McNamara, chief executive of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, agreed that completion rates would be adversely affected by the recession as employers are forced to cut back on the number of places offered and many apprentices are being made redundant.

“Completion rates have always been a problem,” he said. “But the fly in the ointment is the recession.

“Apprenticeship starts this year are already down against targets, due to the recession, and completion rates are likely to be down because some of the people laid off will be apprentices. Some employers are also making decisions not to fill posts”

But with the government having pledged £1bn to support apprenticeships this year, Stephen Overell, associate director of independent think-tank The Work Foundation, warned that there was a risk resources could be wasted if tackling retention rates was not made a priority.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

He said: “There is absolutely a concern that the government is wasting money if one third of apprentices are dropping out. It’s a long-running issue and is something the government has to deal with.”

McNamara added that pressures on public finances next year could further hit retention rates. “From next year there will be pressure on every single budget and it would cause problems,” he said.

Kat Baker

previous post
M&S whistleblower tribunal appeal considered by GMB
next post
Almost one in four bosses would cut all benefits

You may also like

Government publishes ‘roadmap’ for Employment Rights Bill

1 Jul 2025

Ethnicity and disability pay gaps: Ready to report?...

1 Jul 2025

Government moves swiftly on immigration reform

1 Jul 2025

One in eight senior NHS managers from black...

1 Jul 2025

Government launches ‘landmark’ review of parental leave

1 Jul 2025

Clarks cuts 1,200 jobs after ‘year of transition’

1 Jul 2025

How HR can support families with adoption

1 Jul 2025

Co-op equal pay claims move onto next stage

30 Jun 2025

‘Be direct’ to avoid escalating conflict, advises Acas

30 Jun 2025

Reforming paternity leave could benefit UK by £13bn...

30 Jun 2025

  • Empowering working parents and productivity during the summer holidays SPONSORED | Businesses play a...Read more
  • AI is here. Your workforce should be ready. SPONSORED | From content creation...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise
  • OHW+