The Occupational and skill structure of new apprenticeships: a commentary

Abstract

This article examines the occupational structure of the recent intake of New Apprenticeships. This analysis reveals that traineeships are highly skewed towards lower skilled occupations such as labouring and elementary clerical occupations. The results are argued to suggest that a more coherent rationale is required for both the selection of occupations for inclusion in ‘apprentice’ type training and for the receipt of public training funds. The article also critically evaluates recent research from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research implying that the labour market outcomes for the recent flow of trainees onto the labour market will replicate that for the existing stock of holders of skilled vocational qualifications.