One in eight Advanced Level Apprenticeship learners join HE

One in eight young people with an Advanced Level Apprenticeship has gone into Higher Education, according to new research released by the University of Greenwich.

The university claims the rise in the number of people admitted to HE having completed the qualification – a combination of paid on-the-job training and college study that leads to an award similar to A-level – is more than double the number previously known.

Researchers Hugh Joslin and Sharon Smith, having followed the career paths of every Advanced Level Apprentice since 2006 (more than 150,000 in total), also found that more young people are successfully completing their Advanced Level Apprenticeships, representing an increase of 36% in the last four years.

Joslin said about the finding: “The research shows a promising rise in the numbers of apprentices progressing to Higher Education.

“There is still more to be done however to develop clear work-based learning pathways like Higher Apprenticeships, which can provide alternative routes to degrees and the professions.”

The Minister of State for Further Education, Skills & Lifelong Learning, John Hayes MP, said: “With unprecedented investment in apprenticeships and higher standards of training than ever before, this Government is breaking down the barriers between practical and academic learning. By creating ladders of opportunity to suit people of all tastes and talents, we will create a more highly skilled and productive workforce, a stronger and more sustainable economy, and a fairer and more socially mobile society.”

“This research shows that we are making good progress, but I’m determined to do more. I’ll continue to reshape and upgrade the apprenticeships programme so that more apprentices have the opportunity to progress into higher levels of learning.”

Apostolos Kostoulas