The Department for Education (DfE) has published new data on apprenticeships in England for the 2024-25 academic year. Overall starts increased by 4.1% to 353,500, up from 339,580 in the previous academic year, highlighting strong employer demand for new talent pipelines despite ongoing economic pressures.
Construction, planning and the built environment continued its post-pandemic recovery. Starts in the sector reached 24,590 in 2024-25, a slight increase on last year. Although below the 2021-22 peak of 26,100, when numbers rose 31% in the first full year following the Covid-19 disruption, starts remain well above the recent low of 20,000 recorded in 2020/21. At 24,600, the rate now sits above pre-pandemic levels.
Engineering and manufacturing technologies saw similar incremental growth, rising to 46,070 starts. The improvement aligns with wider policy efforts to strengthen the UK’s technical skills base and support advanced manufacturing, green technologies and infrastructure development.
Rob Shepherd, Consulting Editor at InstallerELECTRIC, commented:
“The figures confirm that apprenticeships are continuing to regain momentum, particularly in the sectors essential to economic growth. Employers in the construction sector are recognising that developing talent through high quality training is one of the most effective ways to address skills shortages and build for the future. That said, as the InstallerELECTRIC State of the Industry Report 2025 found, there are still some significant barriers to overcome.”
The InstallerELECTRIC State of the Industry Report 2025 highlighted mixed feelings about apprenticeships across the electrical contracting sector. Some of those who responded expressed concern that taking on an apprentice is a risk because they might leave once their training is complete, leaving the company without a return on its investment. They also worry about the time and effort required to train someone who may not stay, as well as the costs associated with developing their skills.
However, others argued that staff turnover is simply part of the cycle and that the value of apprenticeships extends beyond immediate retention. Even temporary support can be beneficial and training someone well enough to leave, and treating them well enough to stay, can lead to loyal, motivated staff.
Others rejected the idea that apprenticeships are a wasted effort altogether. They see training the next generation as a moral and professional responsibility that strengthens the industry. They stated that apprentices can bring fresh ideas, additional hands and even future business connections, while employers gain recognition as mentors and industry leaders. As one respondent said, ‘Even if they leave, you’re shaping the future of the trade,’ highlighting that the benefits of apprenticeship go far beyond immediate retention.
To download a copy of the complete InstallerELECTRIC State of the Industry Report 2025, visit: electrical-survey-2025.installeronline.co.uk/report
Contributors
Rob Shepherd (author)
Rob is Consulting Editor for InstallerELECTRIC. He is a well-respected journalist with a strong history in the electrical sector.
