Apprenticeships supporting Scottish economy
New statistics show that apprenticeships are providing the skills needed to drive Scotland’s economy, with around two thirds of apprentices working in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) related jobs.
Skills for key sectors
Figures from the past financial year show that 63.9% of Modern Apprentices are employed in STEM and almost half of new starts (47.8%) are also working in these occupational areas.
Statistics released today (Tuesday, 13 May) by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) also reveal that over a third of Modern Apprenticeship starts in the last year were in Construction, Engineering, Energy and related occupations1.
The Modern Apprenticeship statistics for April 2024 to March 2025 show that more than 25,500 (25,507) people have been given the chance to work, learn and earn, which met the Scottish Government’s ambition for apprenticeship opportunities.
Record high achievement rate
The annual figures from Scotland’s skills agency, SDS, demonstrate that apprentices are getting high quality jobs, with more apprenticeships taken at higher SCQF levels2.
The latest statistics also demonstrate that apprenticeships are supporting young people to succeed in work, with Modern Apprenticeship achievement rate at the highest recorded, at nearly 80% (79.8%).
The record achievement rate is in stark contrast to international research, which showed that 41.6% of young people in the UK stayed in their job for one year or less3.
While Modern Apprenticeships (MA) can typically take from two to four years to complete, the MA achievement rate is 75.9% for 16 to 19-year-olds and 82.5% for 20 to 24-year-olds, both up from the previous year.
Widening access to opportunities
Apprenticeships are also enabling people from diverse background to access opportunities, with the statistics highlighting that the number of people who started an MA and resided in the 10% most deprived areas continued to be higher than those who resided in the 10% least deprived areas. The achievement rate for those residing in the 10% most deprived areas also rose by over 5%.
The share of those starting an apprenticeship identifying from an ethnic minority community and those identifying as care experienced was also the highest on record4.
Further investment in apprenticeships
Chair of SDS, Fank Mitchell said: “Apprenticeships are made to support individuals, employers and Scotland’s economy, by offering high quality opportunities for people to gain valuable skills that support them throughout their career and meet industry demands now and for the future.
“These latest statistics also demonstrate that Modern Apprenticeships are giving people from diverse backgrounds, including those from areas of social deprivation, the opportunity to get into meaningful and fulfilling employment.”
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced funding to support around 25,500 more Modern Apprenticeship opportunities in the current year.
Higher and Further Education minister, Graeme Dey said: “Apprenticeships provide vital opportunities for young people to acquire key skills and a route into high quality careers, helping the economy and creating sustainable jobs.
“We know from our engagement with employers that there are key skills gaps in the economy. These statistics reflect the investment in apprenticeships and demonstrate a positive impact in the sectors which will drive future growth. I would encourage businesses to work with Government as we take forward the reform work that is underway aimed at refining the apprenticeship offering to better align with the needs of our economy and interests of those who are undertaking apprenticeships.
“Supporting apprenticeships is just one part of the £2 billion we are investing each year in colleges, universities and the wider skills system, recognising the vital role they play in education, the economy and in supporting our drive to net zero emissions by 2045.”
The full Modern Apprenticeship annual statistics are available on the Statistics area of the SDS website.
1In 2024-25, Construction and Related occupations were 25.6% share of MA starts. Engineering and Energy Related occupations at 8% share of MA starts.
2In 2024/25, 84.0% of starts were at SCQF level 6 or above, 1.1 pp higher than last year. This is in line with the Scottish Government’s continued policy focus on higher level apprenticeships.
3Research conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that, in the United Kingdom, young people (aged 15-24) tend to stay in jobs for less time than all employed people. In 2021, 41.6% of young people stayed in their job for one year or less.
45.7% of starts self-identified as Mixed or Multiple; Asian; African; Caribbean or black; and Other ethnic group, the highest ever reported and 1.2 pp higher than 2023-24. 2.6% of starts self-identified as Care Experienced, 0.3 pp higher than 2023-24 and the highest since SDS started reporting on this equality group.