Young people taking part in government-funded apprenticeships will enjoy significantly higher wages over their lifetime than they would have done without their training, according to a study by the Department for Education and Skills.

The value of an apprenticeship is estimated to be significantly above that of other vocational qualifications, according to the research.
Wage returns to apprenticeships have increased over the last ten years, and good returns for women at level 3 (vocational; equivalent to A level standard), are seen for the first time.

Skills Minister Phil Hope said: "This report shows the real value for young people of undertaking an apprenticeship. It confirms that it pays to be an apprentice. Many people think that apprenticeships are a thing of the past. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. The programme is going from strength to strength, and the status and quality of the programme is rising all the time.

"We want more employers to offer new schemes. Today's evidence shows the government is right to invest almost £1bn per year in this programme.”