As of the 31st March 2016 the apprenticeship population was 9,628. This includes 820 redundant apprentices. The apprenticeship population fluctuates based on the number of apprenticeship registrations and the numbers completing their apprenticeships. As apprenticeship registrations in the existing trades have been increasing in recent years, more apprentices are in the earlier years of apprenticeship than at the later phases. This means that the levels of completions will be relatively low in the immediate future in many trades.
Annual registrations increased by 40% from 2013 to 2014 and the 2015 figure of 3,153 represented a further 17% increase. The increase in registrations is forecast to be sustained up to at least 2018. These forecasts, by trade, for 2016 to 2018 are set out in the attached table. This will result in continuing growth in the apprenticeship population in the existing trades. SOLAS do not yet have forecasts beyond 2018 but will continue to update their forecasts based on their formal economic model.
In addition, the apprenticeship population will be further significantly supplemented by registrations on new apprenticeships which are being developed under the auspices of the Apprenticeship Council.
Forecst Registrations
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
Trades
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
|
Brick & Stonelaying
|
65
|
120
|
215
|
Carpentry & Joinery
|
425
|
645
|
975
|
Floor & Wall Tiling
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Painting & Decorating
|
25
|
60
|
100
|
Pipefitting
|
30
|
28
|
28
|
Plastering
|
25
|
65
|
120
|
Plumbing
|
370
|
525
|
625
|
Stonecutting & Stonemasonry
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
Wood Manufacturing & Finishing
|
35
|
90
|
140
|
Total
|
989
|
1,547
|
2,217
|
ELECTRICAL
|
|
|
|
Aircraft Mechanics
|
40
|
40
|
40
|
Electrical
|
990
|
1,205
|
1,360
|
Electrical Instrumentation
|
60
|
60
|
60
|
Electronic Security Systems
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
Instrumentation
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
|
70
|
70
|
75
|
Total
|
1,194
|
1,409
|
1,569
|
ENGINEERING
|
|
|
|
M.A.M.F.
|
190
|
195
|
200
|
Farriery
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
Industrial Insulation
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
Metal Fabrication
|
220
|
220
|
220
|
Sheet Metalworking
|
40
|
50
|
50
|
Toolmaking
|
65
|
65
|
65
|
Total
|
537
|
552
|
557
|
MOTOR
|
|
|
|
Agricultural Mechanics
|
40
|
40
|
40
|
Construction Plant Fitting
|
60
|
85
|
100
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
|
142
|
146
|
152
|
Motor Mechanics
|
370
|
374
|
388
|
Vehicle Body Repairs
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
Total
|
662
|
695
|
730
|
Print Media
|
8
|
16
|
16
|
Total
|
8
|
16
|
16
|
Grand Total
|
3390
|
4219
|
5089
|