Apprenticeships Then and Now
04-03-2015
Most common apprenticeships in 1914
1 Dressmaking
2 Engineering
3 Carpentry
4 Drapery
5 Millinery
6 Fitting
7 Joinery
8 Tailoring
9 Plumbing
10 Printing
Source: 1911 census data
Most popular apprenticeships in 2014
1 Health and social care
2 Business administration
3 Management
4 Hospitality and catering
5 Customer service
6 Children’s care learning and development
7 Retail
8 Construction skills
9 Engineering
10 Hairdressing
Reflecting the career options and work opportunities of the time it is interesting to see the vast difference between the most common apprenticeships on offer 100 years ago.
Further facts about apprenticeships
Did you know…
- In 2014 the most popular apprenticeship was health and social care.
- Since 2010, there have been over 2 million apprenticeship starts in England.
- Apprenticeships are available in over 170 industries including aerospace, fashion, broadcast media and finance – with 1500 job roles available.
- In 1914 most apprentices started work aged 15 to 17, compared with 19 to 24 today.
- Women now take up 55% of apprenticeships.
- 19% of advanced apprentices progress to Higher Education.
- Higher apprenticeships are available in 40 subjects.
- 100 years ago the most common apprenticeship was dressmaking, followed by engineering.
- 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship (includes 2% self-employed).
- 71% of apprentices stay with the same employer.
- 82% said their apprenticeship had improved their ability to do the job and 79% said that their career prospects had improved.
- 100 years ago an apprentice could be summoned to court for being ‘idle’ or having a ‘bad attitude’.
- More than 850,000 people have been earning and learning on an apprenticeship in 2013 to 2014.
- Up to 25,000 apprenticeship vacancies available online at any one time.
- There were 1.4 million online applications in 2012 to 2013.
- There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice, or start an apprenticeship.
FashionCapital’s sister company Fashion Enter Ltd offers apprenticeship positions within the fashion and manufacturing sector click here to find out more.
