The first year-on-year increase in apprenticeship starts since the levy was introduced has been confirmed by new Department for Education figures.

The latest provisional statistics reveal there were 22,300 starts in May 2018 – up by 72 per cent on the 12,900 recorded in May 2017. While this year-on-year rise was expected, given the unusually low start numbers a year earlier in the first weeks following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, it marks the end of a protracted period of worsening year-on-year drops in the past few months. The figures, however, remain well below levels recorded in May 2016.

Apprenticeship levy 'led to massive drop'

Simon Ashworth, chief policy officer at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, said: “On A-level results day, it’s particularly disappointing to have further confirmation that the levy reforms have led to a massive drop in apprenticeship starts, which means opportunities are limited for those young people who want a debt-free alternative to university. 

“The picture looks no better for those getting their GCSE results next week, who will want to start earning while learning instead of staying on in sixth form or college. When ministers return from their holidays, they really must get a grip on this if they are serious about social mobility and improving ‘home-grown’ workforce productivity in a post-Brexit economy.”