Apprentices and apprenticeship examinations, 2004

Preliminary figures from 1 October 2004 show that almost 2 700 new apprentices were registered in building and construction trades. This is an increase of more than 400 compared with 2003. Building and construction trade is still regarded as a "male profession", with only 1 per cent women among those who started apprenticeships in 2004. There has been a positive development in the gender-balance in technical building trades, another male-dominated area of study. Less than 7 per cent are women but there has been a remarkable 70 per cent increase from the previous year.

"Male professions" have most apprenticeships

There were a little above 14 500 new apprentices in the autumn of 2004, an increase of approximately 1 000 from the previous year. There has been a rise in apprentice numbers following many years of decline. A total of 29 000 apprentices were registered in 2004, an increase of about 700 from 2003. Building and construction trades had highest number of apprenticeships in 2004 with almost 5 300 apprentices. There were 5 200 apprentices in engineering and mechanical trades and 5 100 in electrical trades. In these "male professions" between 93 and 99 per cent were men. Women still dominate in health and social studies as well as arts and crafts, with 90 and 96 per cent respectively.

Nine out of ten passed vocational examinations

Over 18 000 candidates sat for the vocational examinations between 1 October 2003 and 30 September 2004, and 92 per cent passed. There has been a decline of 860 candidates from the previous year and 2 500 from 2000/01. Candidates in chemical and processing trades had the best results, with a 98 per cent pass-rate. Four out of ten candidates who passed the vocational examinations in 2003/04 were 25 years or older.

Practice candidates

A total number of 6200 practice candidates sat for the vocational examinations in 2003/04, and 95 per cent passed. Over 90 per cent were 25 years or older. Almost one of three passed vocational examinations in health and social studies, and one out of four in engineering and mechanical trades.

Tables:

• Table 1 Apprentices, by gender and areas of study. 1995-2004
• Table 2 Apprentices and new apprentices, by gender and county of residence. Preliminary figures. 1 October 2004
• Table 3 Apprentices, by age and county of residence. Preliminary figures. 1 October 2004
• Table 4 Completed vocational examininations, by results and areas of study. Preliminary figures. 1 October 2003-30 September 2004
• Table 5 Vocational examination candidates, by category and results. School year 1998/99-2003/04