Improving apprenticeship completions: Secure success from start to finish

How can providers help reduce apprentice dropout rates? In a new guide, City & Guilds highlights common challenges and solutions, with tips to support apprentices from onboarding to EPA.

06 September 2023

Apprenticeship programmes offer incredible opportunities for people to build bright futures, while also offering a solution to growing national skills shortages across multiple sectors.

However, despite this strong potential, apprenticeships are suffering from high non-completion rates. Government figures shared in a report by think tank EDSK show that almost half (47 percent) of apprentices drop out. The same study highlighted that over 70 percent of apprentices who dropped out reported experiencing problems with their training programme.

It’s a critical issue, and one the government has set out targets to address. As well as introducing a goal to increase apprenticeship achievement rates to 67 percent by 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced the Accountability Framework which aims to help providers review their own performance, identify potential quality issues and carry out improvements.

Setting up apprentices for success with proactive planning and holistic support

securing apprentice success coverAccording to research looking into apprenticeships outcomes, carried out by The St Martin’s Group, one of the key factors identified in reducing apprenticeship withdrawal is more direct support from providers and employers.

To help providers delivering apprenticeships, in our new Securing apprentice success guide we share expert advice and practical tips to support apprentices from start to finish with proactive planning and holistic support.

The guide covers the full journey, from onboarding through to on-programme learning and end-point assessment (EPA), and includes:

  • How to develop a clear onboarding plan and learning structure, and why it’s important to start the journey with the end in mind
  • How to overcome common challenges and ensure apprentices have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to succeed
  • How to help apprentices prepare for EPA
  • Best practice at gateway to ensure a smoother EPA

Download the guide