Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 February 2008. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 10 March 2008 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Apprenticeships

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what percentage of Government-sponsored apprenticeships were completed in the last year for which figures are available.

Answer: The most recent apprenticeship success rate figure available on the Learning and Skills Council website:"http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/success/WBL.htm"(which is updated on a quarterly basis) is 63 per cent. in 2006/07. The percentage of apprentices who complete their full apprenticeship framework has grown dramatically from only 24 per cent. in 2001/02 to 63 per cent. in 2006/07 and is still rising. This shows the ongoing improving status and quality of apprenticeships.

Secondary information