A growing number of apprentices quit

A third of apprentices walked away from their position in the year to 30 June 2007.

New figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research found that 132,000 withdrew from an apprenticeship in 2007, up 4% on the previous year. This represents a third of the 415,500 apprentices and trainees-in-training for the year.

More promisingly, the number of new apprentices is also growing. Commencements were 272, 500 compared to 265,500 one year before. Completions increased by 3% to 142,900.

Meanwhile young people are being urged by their parents to take up a trade instead of a profession according to a survey by Linkme. The recruitment firm found that 44% for respondents would advise their children to take a trade because of high wages, flexibility, high demand and work-life balance.