New data reveals concerning decline in engineering apprenticeships

13 December 2023

From new apprenticeships data, recently released by the Department for Education (DfE), Engineering UK has run an analysis report, to uncover what this means for the engineering and technology sector.

The results paint a concerning picture for the sector and for the prospect of growing the UK’s engineering and tech workforce to address acute skills shortages. With engineering-related apprenticeship starts down since last year, it is becoming clear that a lot more needs to be done to make apprenticeships a success story.

Beatrice Barleon, Head of Policy & Public Affairs at EngineeringUK, comments:  

“Particularly concerning is the decline in Level 2 apprenticeship starts by almost a quarter (22.6%) since last year, alongside a reduction in numbers of young people aged 16-19 taking up apprenticeships since 2017/2018. Lower-level apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3 offer opportunities for young people from a wide range of backgrounds to access jobs in engineering and tech. We need to see more opportunities available at these levels so that more young people from all backgrounds are able to join the engineering and tech workforce, providing the capacity and skills the sector desperately needs.”

To find out more on the full analysis, visit Engineering UK.

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