Academic year 2019/20

Apprenticeships in England by industry characteristics

Data guidance

Published

Description

This release presents statistics on apprenticeship starts by their employer enterprise characteristics.

Data from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR), Apprenticeship Service and Office for National Statistics Inter-departmental Business Register (IDBR) have been matched.

This allows information about apprentices to be linked to information about their employers, covering:

  • Learner characteristics - age and gender,
  • Apprenticeship information - level, standard/framework, subject studied, geography of workplace and whether they were supported by levy funds from an Apprenticeship Service Account (ASA),
  • Employer enterprise characteristics - industry sector, size band and legal status.

Coverage

The linked education and business (ILR-IDBR) dataset covers eight academic years between 2012/13 and 2019/20 and is used here to produce:

  1. Estimates for volumes of apprenticeship starts by employer enterprise characteristics,
  2. An analysis of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on apprenticeship starts in 2019/20, by industry sector,
  3. Estimates of the volume of enterprises with apprenticeship starts, by enterprise characteristics,
  4. For the first time, an analysis of retention and frequency of engagement of enterprises with apprenticeship starts, between 2012/13 and 2019/20.

File formats and conventions

The underlying data files are provided in comma separated value (csv) format.

Whole numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, percentages are provided to the nearest one decimal place. Figures have been suppressed with the value ‘c’ for numbers lower than 3, and percentages where the numerator is less than 3 or the denominator is less than 6.

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Table 10 Enterprises with apprenticeship starts in 201213 by apprenticeship status between 201213 and 201920

Filename
table10.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the retention of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by enterprise status, enterprise sector, two digit sector code and enterprise size. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
EntStatusEnterprise apprenticeship status in current year
EntStatusFollowingYearEnterprise apprenticeship status in following year
NewSectorEnterprise industry sector
NumberOfFEEmployersNumber of enterprises
PercentOfFEEmployersPercentage of enterprises
SICDetailed enterprise industry sector - 2 digit SIC
SizeBandEnterprise size
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.

Table 11 Apprenticeship starts, and enterprises with apprenticeship starts as a proportion of workforce and business population by sector

Filename
table11_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts and enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England as a proportion of workforce and business population by sector, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR. 

Also includes additional ONS BRES and ONS UK Business data to provide details on workforce and business populations by sector. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ApprenticesPer10kEmployeesNumber of apprentices per 1,000 within sector
EnterprisesPer10kEmployeesNumber of enterprises per 1,000 within sector
NumberEnterprisesWithAppsNumber of enterprises with apprenticeship starts
NumberOFEmploymeesTotal number of employees in sector
NumberOfStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
SectorEnterprise sector
TotalNumberOfEnterprisesTotal number of enterprises in sector
Footnotes
  1. Volumes of apprenticeships starts have been rounded to the nearest 1.
  2. Number of apprenticeships and enterprises per 1,000 within sector have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Table 1A Apprenticeship starts with enterprise characteristics

Filename
table1a_.csv
Geographic levels
National; Regional
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by levy status, enterprise size, IMD, legal status, sector of enterprise and standard classification. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ASALevySupportedASA levy supported
EmployerSizeSize of enterprise
IMDIndex of multiple deprivation
LegalStatusLegal status of enterprise
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
SectorSector of enterprise
StandardApprenticeship standard
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. 2019/20 apprenticeship starts supported by ASA levy funds are currently classed as provisional and an amended methodology has been applied to this year only. Therefore, 2019/20 figures are not directly comparable to previous years. See methodology note for more information.
  3. Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintiles are based on the learner's home postcode as follows: 2012/13 to 2014/15 are based on the 2010 IMD rank, 2015/16 to 2018/19 are based on the 2015 IMD rank and 2019/20 are based on the 2019 IMD rank.

Table 1B Apprenticeship starts with enterprise characteristics and two digit sector breakdown 201213 - 201920

Filename
table1b_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by  enterprise size,  sector of enterprise, two digit sector code of enterprise and standard classification. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
EmployerSizeSize of enterprise
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
SectorSector of enterprise
StandardApprenticeship standard
TwoDigitSectorTwo digit sector code of enterprise
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.

Table 2 Apprenticeship starts between 201213 and 201920 by geography - LA

Filename
table2.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by enterprise size and local authority of workplace. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
EmployerSizeSize of enterprise
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. Geography is based on the workplace postcode of the apprenticeship.

Table 3 Apprenticeship starts between 201213 and 201920 by geography - PCON

Filename
table3.csv
Geographic levels
National; Parliamentary constituency; Regional
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by enterprise size and parliamentary constituency workplace. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
EmployerSizeSize of enterprise
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. Geography is based on the workplace postcode of the apprenticeship.

Table 4A Apprenticeship starts between 201213 and 201920 with learner characteristics - SSA, level and IMD

Filename
table4a.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by enterprise size, levy funded, IMD, level, enterprise sector, sector subject area (Tier 1) and standard classification. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ASALevySupportedASA levy supported
EmployerSizeSize of enterprise
IMDIndex of multiple deprivation
LevelLevel
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
SectorSector of enterprise
SSATier1Sector subject area tier one
StandardApprenticeship standard
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. 2019/20 apprenticeship starts supported by ASA levy funds are currently classed as provisional and an amended methodology has been applied to this year only. Therefore, 2019/20 figures are not directly comparable to previous years. See methodology note for more information.
  3. Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintiles are based on the learner's home postcode as follows: 2012/13 to 2014/15 are based on the 2010 IMD rank, 2015/16 to 2018/19 are based on the 2015 IMD rank and 2019/20 are based on the 2019 IMD rank.

Table 4B Apprenticeship starts between 201213 and 201920 with learner characteristics - Level, gender and age band

Filename
table4b_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by age band, levy status, level, enterprise sector, gender and standard classification. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
AgeAge band
ASALevySupportedASA levy supported
LevelLevel
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
SectorSector of enterprise
SexGender
StandardApprenticeship standard
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. 2019/20 apprenticeship starts supported by ASA levy funds are currently classed as provisional and an amended methodology has been applied to this year only. Therefore, 2019/20 figures are not directly comparable to previous years. See methodology note for more information.

Table 5A Enterprises with apprenticeship starts between 201213 and 201920 - characteristics

Filename
table5a_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by levy status, enterprise size, legal status and enterprise sector. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ASALevySupportedStartsAt least one start ASA levy supported
EnterpriseSizeSize of enterprise
LegalStatusLegal status of enterprise
NumberofEnterprisesNumber of enterprises
PercentageofEnterprisesPercentage of enterprises
SectorSector of enterprise
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. 2019/20 apprenticeship starts supported by ASA levy funds are currently classed as provisional and an amended methodology has been applied to this year only. Therefore, 2019/20 figures are not directly comparable to previous years. See methodology note for more information.

Table 5B Enterprises with apprenticeship starts between 201213 and 201920 - two digit sector breakdown

Filename
table5b_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the industry characteristics of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by  enterprise size, enterprise sector and two digit sector code of enterprise. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
EnterpriseSizeSize of enterprise
NumberofEnterprisesNumber of enterprises
PercentageofEnterprisesPercentage of enterprises
SectorSector of enterprise
TwoDigitSectorTwo digit sector code of enterprise
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.

Table 6 Apprenticeship starts during coronavirus and enterprise characteristics

Filename
table6.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2018/19 to 2019/20
Content

Data to illustrate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR

Broken down by enterprise sector, two digit sector code and enterprise size, gender, shutdown sector status, COVID-19 time period and age band. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
AgeAge band
CovidTimePeriodTime period during coronavirus
EmployerSizeSize of employer
NumberofStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
SectorSector of enterprise
SexGender
ShutdownSectorShutdown Sectors
TwoDigitSectorTwo digit sector code of enterprise
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.

Table 7 Retention rates of enterprises with apprenticeship starts by characteristics 201213 - 201920

Filename
table7_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2012/13 to 2019/20
Content

Data covering the retention of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by  enterprise sector, enterprise size, levy status and standard classification.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ASALevySupportedLevy supported
EmployersNumber of enterprises with apprenticeship starts
EmployersinAYTotal number of enterprises in academic year
EmployerSizeEnterprise size
PercentageRetainedPercentage of enterprises retained in following year
ProviderTypeProvider type
RetainedEmployersNumber of enterprises retained in following year
SectorEnterprise sector
StandardApprenticeship type
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.

Table 8 All enterprises with apprenticeship starts by count of years with apprenticeship starts between 201213 - 201920

Filename
table8.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2019/20
Content

Data covering the retention of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by enterprise sector,  enterprise size, levy status, provider type and standard classification.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
AllEmployersTotal number of enterprises with apprenticeship starts between 201213 to 201920
ASALevySupportedLevy supported
EmployersNumber of enterprises with apprenticeship starts
EmployersinYearAppsGroupTotal number of enterprises with same number of years with starts
EmployerSizeEnterprise size
PercentageofAllEmployersPercentage of enterprises with apprenticeship starts between 201213 to 201920
PercentageofEmployersinYearAppsGroupPercentage of enterprises with same number of years with apprenticeship starts
ProviderTypeProvider type
SectorEnterprise industry sector
StandardApprenticeship type
yearsappsNumber of years enterprise had apprenticeship starts
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.
  2. 2019/20 apprenticeship starts supported by ASA levy funds are currently classed as provisional and an amended methodology has been applied to this year only. Therefore, 2019/20 figures are not directly comparable to previous years. See methodology note for more information.

Table 9 Enterprises with apprenticeship starts in 201920 by count of years with apprenticeship starts and number of apprenticeship starts

Filename
table9_.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2019/20
Content

Data covering the retention of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in England, where a match has been made between the ILR and the ONS IDBR.

Broken down by enterprise size and enterprise sector. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
AppStartsNumber of apprenticeship starts in year
AppstartsinAYTotal apprenticeship starts in year
EmployersNumber of enterprises with apprenticeship starts
EmployersinAYTotal number of enterprises with apprenticeship starts in year
EmployerSizeEnterprise size
PercentageofAppStartsPercentage of apprenticeship starts
PercentageofEmployersPercentage of enterprises with apprenticeship starts
SectorEnterprise industry sector
yearsappsNumber of years enterprise had apprenticeship starts
Footnotes
  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place and are calculated on unrounded volumes.