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<p>Our reforms to apprenticeships have fundamentally changed what apprenticeships
are and the long-term opportunities they provide for people of all ages and backgrounds.</p><p>
</p><p>We publish data on apprenticeship starts by demographic on a quarterly basis.
The most recent data can be found at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/815288/Apprenticeship-starts-ach-detailed-demographic_201718_Q3-201819_July2019.xlsx"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/815288/Apprenticeship-starts-ach-detailed-demographic_201718_Q3-201819_July2019.xlsx</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The table below shows an extract of apprenticeships starts data by the ages
requested from the 2016/17 and 2017/18 academic years, as well as data for quarter
1 to 3 of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 academic years. Full data for the 2018/19 academic
year will be published on 28 November at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/further-education-and-skills-official-statistics"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/further-education-and-skills-official-statistics</a>.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Age</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18
</strong> <strong>Q1-Q3</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2018/19</strong> <strong>
Q1-Q3</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>16</strong></p></td><td><p>29,050</p></td><td><p>25,330</p></td><td><p>22,310</p></td><td><p>20,880</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>17</strong></p></td><td><p>41,110</p></td><td><p>35,020</p></td><td><p>29,330</p></td><td><p>26,450</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>18</strong></p></td><td><p>52,390</p></td><td><p>46,090</p></td><td><p>38,620</p></td><td><p>35,980</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>All
Ages</strong></p></td><td><p>494,900</p></td><td><p>375,800</p></td><td><p>290,500</p></td><td><p>311,200</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>There have been 311,200 apprenticeship starts reported in the first 3 quarters
of the 2018/19 academic year, a 7.1% rise compared to the same period in the 2017/18
academic year. In parallel, we continue to see a reduction in the number of level
2 starts during the first 3 quarters of the 2018/19 academic year, down 10% compared
to the same point the previous year. We know that 16-18 year olds in particular are
more likely to undertake a level 2 apprenticeship and therefore be affected by this
reduction.</p><p> </p><p>This change in level 2 starts has largely occurred where
apprenticeships were struggling to meet the minimum quality standards required by
our reforms. We are replacing old-style frameworks, which apprentices and employers
told us were not providing the skills they needed, with new employer-designed standards.
Apprenticeships are intended to take people to a point of full competence in their
chosen occupation. It is therefore possible for a young person with limited experience
to achieve a level 3 apprenticeship. In 2018/19 we have seen growth in level 3 Engineering
starts in particular for 16 ,17 and 18 year olds. Overall, we continue to see strong
take up of standards with 63% of starts so far in 2018/19 on high-quality standards,
compared to 44% in 2017/18.</p><p> </p><p>Levels of young people not in education,
training or employment are at a record low and apprenticeships play an important role
in getting young people into work. We will continue to monitor the impact of our apprenticeship
reforms on 16-18 year olds.</p>
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