A third of apprentices get less than the 20 per cent off-the-job training they are meant to receive, according to a new survey.

The survey, published by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), showed 6 per cent of apprentices felt they got no training, while 32 per cent received less than 20 per cent.

The remaining 62 per cent of apprentices said they got at least 20 per cent off-the-job training, the same proportion said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the time they were given to complete off-the-job training and a similar proportion felt their training providers were able to create a training plan that reflected the requirements of the apprenticeship standard training plan.

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Only 57 per cent were satisfied that their training provider was able to create a training plan that reflected their individual learning needs.

However, the vast majority of apprentices who took part in the survey (87 per cent) said they would recommend their apprenticeship to others. Most also said they had been equipped with the skills enabling them to adapt to future developments within their industry, while 82 per cent felt satisfied that their apprenticeship had laid the foundation for a successful career.

The survey was set up by the IfATE’s panel of apprentices and received more 1,000 responses. It was carried out between April and June this year.

Jennifer Coupland, chief executive of the IfATE, said: “The survey was created by our panel of apprentices for all apprentices. It has provided invaluable insight into how apprenticeships are working for the people who matter most - the learners.

“I was delighted that the vast majority of them would recommend apprenticeships to other people. However, it’s not good enough that around a third reported they are still not getting their full quota of training. There is clearly more work to do so we are fully supporting the panel’s recommendations.”

Louis Curtis, apprentice panel member and mineral products technology higher apprentice, said: “The survey was a major project for the panel to lead on and we’re proud of the results.

“There was lots of good feedback on apprenticeships showing in the main that they are working very well. We have also though picked out areas where we can see that improvements are needed and will be following these up with the Institute and Department for Education.”

Jamilah Simpson, fellow panel member and former Google digital marketer apprentice, said: “The fact that 87 per cent of apprentices would recommend their apprenticeship to others shows what a positive impact they are having across the country, but we can’t stop there. The responses to this survey give us a lot to work with to continue improving apprenticeships and make sure they are the highest standard they can possibly be.”

The apprentice panel recommends:

• Adequate preparation for End Point Assessment (EPA) should be defined and made compulsory in the delivery of apprenticeship standards
• More steps should be taken to ensure that apprentices receive their entitlement to 20 per cent off-the-job training during their apprenticeship
• Define best practice in delivering apprenticeship training and ensure that all training providers and employers deliver on- and off-the-job training to at least a minimum defined level
• Minimum standards of pastoral care of apprentices by employers and training providers should be defined and delivered, recognising especially the situation of younger apprentices and those with caring responsibilities
• More steps should be taken in the marketing of apprenticeships to promote the value of apprentices to employers, and apprentices’ own perceptions of the value of on-the-job learning
• Create a strengthened commitment statement that places more emphasis on quality of apprenticeship delivery, to hold training providers and employers to account and to assist in meeting the recommendations above.