Scottish Apprenticeships – stats and facts
Check out these statistics and facts to discover how apprenticeships are making a difference for people, employers and the wider economy.
Apprenticeship stats and facts
Apprenticeships are working for Scotland. They help the nation:
create careers
build businesses
grow the workforce
get real returns for the economy
You can download a colourful infographic of the Scottish Apprenticeship statistics and facts on this page, for your reference:
Investment
More than £100 million of Scottish Government funding to support up to 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeships in 2025/26.
Nearly 40,000 apprentices currently in training, compared to around 26,600 in 2008.
Return on Investment
For every £1 of public investment in apprenticeships, the exchequer gets £4 to £5 in return.
This £450 million in tax revenue helps to fuel £1 billion of employer investment in skills.
Economic growth and employer needs
100% of Modern Apprenticeships are designed in partnership with employers.
76% of Modern Apprenticeship starts are in key growth sectors.
64% of Modern Apprentices are employed in STEM-related roles.
Financial premium
Learners who complete their Modern Apprenticeship earn up to 52% more than people who do not complete.
Those who complete an apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 or 7 earn net benefits of £65,000 to £84,000 more over their lifetime earnings, compared with people who do not complete their apprenticeship.
Diverse workforce
80.5% of apprentice starts from areas of social deprivation are learning at SCQF Level 6 and above.
In the last five years, the share of people who declared to be from a minority ethnic group starting an apprenticeship has increased from 2.3% to 5.7%.
In the last five years, the share of people who declared to be care experienced starting an apprenticeship rose from 1.5% to 2.6%.
High quality
Scotland has an 80% Modern Apprenticeship achievement rate.
90% of employers said apprenticeships significantly improved job performance.
Three months after completion, nine out of 10 individuals are still working for the employer they started their apprenticeship with.
Apprentice employers
Employers invest around £10 for every publicly funded £1 in apprenticeships.
92% of apprentice employers are SMEs.
Find out more
Get your hands on: #ScotAppWeek26 campaign resources for your socials, posters or presentations.
Email: scotappweek@sds.co.uk
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2 to 6 March | Apprenticeships.scot | #ScotAppWeek26