In response to the Department for Education (DfE) releasing new full year (2022/3) apprenticeships data for England last week, EngineeringUK has run an analysis on the data related to the engineering and technology sector. The data shows that engineering-related apprenticeship starts have decreased by 2.4% since 2021/22, however this reduction is smaller than was seen across all-sector subject areas (3.5%). Engineering-related apprenticeship starts are also still lower than they were before the pandemic - down 7.7% since 2018/19. Level 2 apprenticeship starts in engineering-related apprenticeships have decreased by 22.6% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Beatrice Barleon, head of policy and public affairs at EngineeringUK, said: “The latest apprenticeships data paints a concerning picture for the engineering sector and for the prospect of growing the UK’s engineering workforce to address acute skills shortages. With apprenticeship starts in the engineering sector down since last year, it is becoming clear that a lot more needs to be done to make apprenticeships a success story.

“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.”

“The full analysis from EngineeringUK can be found here in the website’s research section. We will continue to play our part in growing and sustaining engineering and technology apprenticeships, including taking forward the recommendations from our recently published five-point plan Fit for the future: Growing and sustaining engineering and technology apprenticeships for young people.”