APPRENTICESHIPS: THINGS TO KNOW

Thinking about being an apprentice once you leave school? The BBC has come up with a list of the things you need to know about apprenticeship schemes in the UK this year, so read on to get an idea of the current situation for new apprentices.

1. ​Numbers are down: The government is working towards an increase in the number of apprentices in the next few years, with the goal being to create 3 million new apprenticeships by 2020. Despite this, the number of students going into apprenticeships is currently down. Between August and October 2017, the number of apprentices was down 49,800 from the same time in 2016.
2. The health sector is most popular route: Health is closely followed by Business and Law, then Engineering and Manufacturing, and Retail and Commercial. Health, Public Services and Care, and Business, Administration and Law account for over a quarter of a million apprentices. 
3. More women start apprenticeships than men: This has been pretty consistent over the last seven years, actually. The current stats for 2016-17 are 54% females to 46% males. 
4. However, male apprentices are earning more: Surprise, surprise. It's not by much, but it's still important to know about – in 2016-17, male apprentices were earning on average £7.10 per hour to the female apprentices' £6.85. The Young Women's Trust suggests these stats are down to the high concentration of male apprentices taking roles in STEM: IT, engineering and construction tend to be better paid. 
5. Apprentices are achieving more: This means that more apprentices are finishing their courses than since records began back in 2002.  
6. More are going onto advanced programmes: Yes, the number of students overall taking up apprenticeships has gone down, the number starting higher level programmes has gone up. An advance apprenticeship is equivalent to two A-Level passes, and higher apprentices can work towards foundation degrees and bachelor degree equivalents. ​Without even paying fees.