FE data library: equality and diversity
Source: data.gov.uk (2017-03-20)

Participation and success rates of apprentices & adult learners by ethnicity, gender, disabilities and age.

Report 
 
 
Skills Funding Agency 
 
Cheylesmore House  Quinton Road  Coventry  CV1 2WT  
T xx-xxxx-xxxx  www.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk 
An agency of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills 
 
 
Executive Summary 
1 
This report analyses participation and success rates of adult learners and all-age apprentices by ethnicity, gender, learning 
difficulties and/or disabilities and age, using data from the Individualised Learner Record.  
2 
The summary chart below shows participation in 2012/13 by Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) learners, female 
learners, and learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, broken down by funding stream, and compared against the 
English population. Comparable population figures for learning difficulties and/or disabilities are not available, so are not 
shown in this chart. 
 
Equality and Diversity data report, 2012/13 
Adult learner and all age Apprenticeship participation and success rates by ethnicity, gender, learning difficulties and/or 
disabilities and age 
 
 
Date of issue 
15 July 2014 
 
 
Publication intent 
NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 
 
 
 

 
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Summary Chart: Equality and Diversity Proportions for Learners, 2012/13 and the English Population1 
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Groups (BAME)
Female
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or 
Disabilities (LLDD)
2012/13
Participation  (%)
BAME, Female and LLDD
Participation by Funding Stream, English Population, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Learners with Learning Difficulties 
and/or Disabilities (LLDD) and Gender (2012/13)
Adult (19+) FE and Skills
All Age Apprenticeships
Adult (19+) Workplace learning
Adult (19+) Education and Training
Adult (19-64) English Population
 
                                            
1 Labour Force Survey, ages 19 to 64, England. 

 
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Ethnicity 
3 
In 2012/13: 
 19.2 per cent of adult learners were from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. This was higher than the 
estimated proportion in the general English population (12.2 per cent) 
 9.6 per cent of apprentices of all ages were from a BAME background. This was lower than the proportion of BAME people 
in the English population (ages 19-64) as a whole (12.2 per cent). It was slightly higher than the proportion of BAME 
apprentices in 2011/12 (9.5 per cent) 
 
Gender  
4 
In 2012/13: 
 56.3 per cent of adult learners were female 
 52.4 per cent of all-age apprentices were female 
 In the five largest Apprenticeship Sector Subject Areas (SSAs) by number of starts: 
o 63.4 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Business, Administration and Law are by females 
o 79.4 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Health, Public Services and Care are by females 
o 55.8 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Retail and Commercial Enterprise are by females 
o 7.4 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies are by females 
o 34.7 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Leisure, Travel and Tourism are by females 
 The all-age Apprenticeship success rate for females was 72.4 per cent, compared to 72.1 per cent for males 
 
Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities 
5 
In 2012/13: 

 
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 13.2 per cent of adult learners declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities, higher than in 2010/11 (11.2 per cent) and 
2011/12 (11.8 per cent) 
 8.1 per cent of all-age apprentices declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities, lower than in 2010/11 (8.4 per cent) but 
higher than in 2011/12 (7.8 per cent) 
 Type of disability was unknown for 9.5 per cent of adult learners, higher than in 2010/11 (7.3 per cent) and 2011/12 (9.1 per 
cent). Type of learning difficulty was unknown for 11.4 per cent of adult learners, higher than in 2010/11 (7.9 per cent) and 
2011/12 (10.5 per cent).  
 In all-age Apprenticeships, the success rate for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities was 67.6 per cent in 
2012/13. This was 5.2 percentage points lower than the success rate for learners who did not declare learning difficulties 
and/or disabilities (72.8 per cent) 
 In adult Education and Training provision in 2012/13, learners who declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities had a 
success rate of 87.1 per cent, 0.3 percentage points higher than learners who did not (86.8 per cent) 
 

 
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Contents 
 
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 
Contents ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 
Notes on Data .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Participation and Starts ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Participation by Ethnicity ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 
Participation by Gender ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 
Participation by Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities ................................................................................................................ 12 
Participation by Age ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15 
Apprenticeship starts by Sector Subject Area and Gender ........................................................................................................... 17 
Success Rates ................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 
Success Rates by Ethnicity........................................................................................................................................................... 19 
Success Rates by Gender ............................................................................................................................................................ 22 
Success Rates by Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities ............................................................................................................ 23 
Success Rates by Age .................................................................................................................................................................. 26 
Support ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 28 
 

 
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Introduction 
6 
This report forms part of a range of equality information published by the Skills Funding Agency, including: 
 
an Equality Duty Progress Report, which sets out our work to meet the Public Sector Equality Duty  
 
a report on equality and diversity in the Skills Funding Agency workforce published in January 2013 
 
a study of learners' views of religion and belief, published in October 2012 
 
research on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans learners, published in August 2011 
7 
This information is intended to support the smooth delivery of government priorities, the operation of the FE sector and the 
strengthening of provider accountability.  
8 
This report is accompanied by a spreadsheet which includes more detailed breakdowns, including the full range of ethnicity 
categories; detailed breakdowns by age; combinations of protected characteristics (ethnicity and gender; gender and 
disability; ethnicity and disability); and trend data covering up to five years. Some tables and charts in this report are extracts 
of these more detailed tables. 
9 
The next update of this report is due in 2015, when final 2013/14 data becomes available. 
Notes on Data 
 
10 
All learner data are drawn from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). Full details are available in the Excel spreadsheets 
which accompany this report, and the table numbers correspond to those in the spreadsheets. 
11 
Demographic comparisons for gender and ethnicity are based on the Office for National Statistics Quarter 4 2012 Labour 
Force Survey, ages 19 to 64 in England. 
12 
Volumes are rounded to the nearest ten except the dimension totals which are rounded to the nearest hundred; percentages 
are calculated based on pre-rounded data.       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13 
 ‘-’ Indicates a base value of less than 10; ‘*’ indicates a percentage of less than 0.5%. 
14 
Full-year numbers are a count of the number of learners that participated at any point during the year.  
 
 
 
15 
These tables include Apprenticeships, Workplace Learning, Community Learning and Education and Training provision taken 
at General Further Education Colleges (including Tertiary), Sixth Form Colleges, Special Colleges (Agricultural and 
Horticultural Colleges and Art and Design Colleges), Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

 
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16 
Participation and success rate tables use age as at 31 August of the academic year for all provision.  These tables include 
learners under 19, including a small number of under 16 year olds. For Apprenticeship starts, age is calculated based on age 
at start of programme. 
 
 
 
17 
Age, gender, learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and ethnicity is based upon self-declaration by the learner.  
18 
Success rates are based on the individual aims that were expected to end in the academic year. They are calculated as the 
number of learning aims achieved divided by the number started, excluding the aims of any learners that transferred onto 
another qualification within the same institution.  
19 
Figures for 2011/12 onwards are not directly comparable to earlier years as a Single Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data 
collection system has been introduced. Small technical changes have been made in the way learners from more than one 
provision type are counted, leading to a removal of duplicate learners and a reduction in overall learner numbers of 
approximately 2 per cent. 
 

 
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Participation and Starts 
Participation by Ethnicity 
20 
In 2012/13, 19.2 per cent of adult learners were from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. This was 
higher than the estimated proportion in the general English population (12.2 per cent). It was the same as the proportion in 
2010/11 (19.2 per cent) but lower than the proportion in 2011/12 (19.6 per cent). [Table 1A] 
Table 1A: Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation by Ethnicity (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
English 
Population 
(ages 19-64)
2012
Ethnicity
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Asian/ Asian British
272,160
8.6%
267,920
8.5%
263,350
8.0%
6.0%
Black/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British
205,830
6.5%
215,060
6.8%
221,860
6.8%
2.8%
Mixed/ Multiple Ethnic Group
60,830
1.9%
68,410
2.2%
75,970
2.3%
0.9%
Other Ethnic Group
69,170
2.2%
66,040
2.1%
67,580
2.1%
2.5%
Total BAME
607,980
19.2%
617,420
19.6%
628,760
19.2%
12.2%
White
2,481,450
78.4%
2,465,960
78.3%
2,568,390
78.3%
87.7%
Not Known/Not Provided
73,770
2.3%
66,320
2.1%
83,470
2.5%
0.1%
Grand Total
3,163,200
100.0%
3,149,700
100.0%
3,280,600
100.0%
100.0%
2012/13
2010/11
Adult (19+) participation
2011/12
Adult (19+)
Adult (19+)
Adult (19+)
 
 

 
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21 
In 2012/13, 9.6 per cent of all-age apprentices were from a BAME background. This was lower than the proportion of BAME 
people in the English population (ages 19-64) as a whole (12.2 per cent). However, it is higher than the proportions of BAME 
apprentices in 2010/11 (8.7 per cent) and 2011/12 (9.5 per cent). [Table 1B] 
 
Table 1B: All Age Apprenticeship Participation by Ethnicity (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
English 
Population 
(ages 19-64)
2012
Ethnicity
Number
% of Total
Number 
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Asian/ Asian British
24,540
3.7%
31,640
3.9%
32,780
3.8%
6.0%
Black/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British
17,950
2.7%
25,450
3.2%
28,540
3.3%
2.8%
Mixed/ Multiple Ethnic Group
11,380
1.7%
14,290
1.8%
16,160
1.9%
0.9%
Other Ethnic Group
4,140
0.6%
5,540
0.7%
6,000
0.7%
2.5%
Total BAME
58,020
8.7%
76,920
9.5%
83,480
9.6%
12.2%
White
602,420
90.5%
722,760
89.6%
776,230
89.4%
87.7%
Not Known/Not Provided
5,460
0.8%
6,800
0.8%
9,030
1.0%
0.1%
Grand Total
665,900
100.0%
806,500
100.0%
868,700
100.0%
100.0%
2011/12
2010/11
2012/13
All Age Participation
 
 

 
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Participation by Gender 
22 
In 2012/13, 56.3 per cent of adult learners were female. This is higher than the proportion in the general English population 
(50.3 per cent). It is lower than the proportion in 2010/11 (57.1 per cent) and 2011/12 (56.4 per cent) [Table 2A]. 
 
Table 2A: Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation by Gender (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
English 
population 
(ages 19-64)
2012
Gender
Number 
% of Total
Number 
% of Total
Number 
% of Total
Female
1,807,390
       
57.1%
1,776,940
56.4%
1,847,310
56.3%
50.3%
Male
1,355,800
       
42.9%
1,372,760
43.6%
1,433,290
43.7%
49.7%
Grand Total
3,163,200
       
100.0%
3,149,700
100.0%
3,280,600
100.0%
100.0%
2010/11
2012/13
Adult (19+)
Adult (19+)
Adult (19+)
2011/12
Adult (19+) participation
  
 

 
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23 
In 2012/13, 52.4 per cent of apprentices were female. This is higher than the English population estimate of 50.3 per cent, 
and higher than the proportions in 2010/11 (50.4 per cent) and 2011/12 (52.1 per cent) [Table 2B].  
 
Table 2B: All Age Apprenticeship Participation by Gender (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
English 
population 
(ages 19-64)
2012
Gender
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Female
335,530
50.4%
420,180
52.1%
455,630
52.4%
50.3%
Male
330,360
49.6%
386,300
47.9%
413,110
47.6%
49.7%
Grand Total
665,900
100.0%
806,500
100.0%
868,700
100.0%
100.0%
2011/12
2012/13
2010/11
All Age Participation
 
 

 
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Participation by Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities 
24 
The Department for Work and Pensions Family Resources Survey estimates that in 2011/12, 16 per cent (5.8 million) of 
adults of working age were disabled. However, learner figures and population estimates cannot be directly compared as they 
are collected in different ways. In particular, impairments are defined differently; learner data are based on self-declaration, 
and there was a relatively large proportion of ‘not knowns’ in the learner data.  
25 
In 2012/13, 13.2 per cent of all adult learners declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This is higher than the 
proportions in 2010/11 (11.2 per cent) and 2011/12 (11.8 per cent). The proportion of learners whose disability status is not 
known is 4.9 per cent, lower than in 2010/11 (6.1 per cent) but higher than in 2011/12 (4.7 per cent). [Table 3A.1] 
 
Table 3A.1: Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation by Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (2010/11 to 
2012/13)  
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Learning Difficulty/Disability
354,000
11.2%
370,720
11.8%
434,670
13.2%
No Learning Difficulty/Disability
2,616,490
82.7%
2,631,230
83.5%
2,686,160
81.9%
Not Known
192,700
6.1%
147,760
4.7%
159,800
4.9%
Grand Total
3,163,200
100.0%
3,149,700
100.0%
3,280,600
100.0%
2012/13
2011/12
2010/11
2012/13
2011/12
2010/11
   

 
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26 
In 2012/13: 
 
1.9 per cent of adult learners declared an ‘Other Medical Condition’ (for example Epilepsy, Asthma, Diabetes) 
 
1.4 per cent declared an ‘Other’ disability 
 
1.2 per cent declared a mental health difficulty 
 
0.9 per cent declared multiple disabilities 
 
0.9 per cent declared a disability affecting mobility 
 
0.7 per cent declared a hearing impairment 
 
Information was not known or not provided for 9.5 per cent of adult learners, higher than in 2010/11 (7.3 per cent) and 
2011/12 (9.1 per cent) [Table 3A.2] 
 
Table 3A.2:  Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation by Disability (2010/11 to 2012/13)   
Disability
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Visual Impairment
14,900
*
15,260
*
17,940
0.5%
Hearing Impairment
22,170
0.7%
21,570
0.7%
24,380
0.7%
Disability Affecting Mobility
24,910
0.8%
24,750
0.8%
29,450
0.9%
Other Physical Disability
12,520
*
12,760
*
15,290
*
Other Medical Condition (For Example Epilepsy, Asthma, Diabetes)
49,150
1.6%
52,600
1.7%
63,890
1.9%
Emotional/Behavioural Difficulties
6,700
*
7,680
*
9,880
*
Mental Health Difficulty
28,440
0.9%
31,780
1.0%
40,940
1.2%
Temporary Disability After Illness (For Example Post-Viral) or Accident
1,820
*
1,900
*
2,460
*
Profound Complex Disabilities
1,820
*
1,470
*
1,440
*
Asperger's Syndrome
2,980
*
4,070
*
5,650
*
Multiple Disabilities
20,860
0.7%
23,070
0.7%
30,460
0.9%
Other
36,490
1.2%
38,310
1.2%
46,620
1.4%
No Disability
2,708,150
85.6%
2,629,370
83.5%
2,681,520
81.7%
Not Known/Information Not Provided
232,300
7.3%
285,110
9.1%
310,700
9.5%
Grand Total
3,163,200
100.0%
3,149,700
100.0%
3,280,600
100.0%
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
      

 
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27 
In 2012/13: 
 
3.0 per cent of adult learners declared they have dyslexia 
 
1.6 per cent declared a moderate learning difficulty  
 
Information was not known or not provided for 11.4 per cent of learners, higher than in 2010/11 (7.9 per cent) and 2011/12 
(10.5 per cent) [Table 3A.3] 
 
Table 3A.3:  Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation by Learning Difficulty (2010/11 to 2012/13)   
Learning Difficulty
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Moderate Learning Difficulty
48,900
1.5%
47,330
1.5%
53,230
1.6%
Severe Learning Difficulty
9,180
*
8,630
*
8,900
*
Dyslexia
74,480
2.4%
80,890
2.6%
97,860
3.0%
Dyscalculia
2,570
*
2,770
*
3,500
*
Other Specific Learning Difficulty
5,310
*
5,560
*
6,010
*
Autism Spectrum Disorder
3,410
*
4,630
*
6,390
*
Multiple Learning Difficulties
8,880
*
9,620
*
11,790
*
Other
30,400
1.0%
31,310
1.0%
37,020
1.1%
No Learning Difficulty
2,730,940
86.3%
2,629,370
83.5%
2,681,520
81.7%
Not Known/Information Not Provided
249,120
7.9%
329,610
10.5%
374,420
11.4%
Grand Total
3,163,200
100.0%
3,149,700
100.0%
3,280,600
100.0%
2011/12
2012/13
2010/11
 

 
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28 
In 2012/13, 8.1 per cent of all-age apprentices declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This is lower than the 
proportion in 2010/11 (8.4 per cent) but higher than in 2011/12 (7.8 per cent). [Table 3B.1].  
 
Table 3B.1: All Age Apprenticeship Participation by Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (2010/11 to 
2012/13)  
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Learning Difficulty/Disability
55,950
8.4%
62,590
7.8%
70,120
8.1%
No Learning Difficulty/Disability
604,750
90.8%
731,260
90.7%
785,790
90.5%
Not Known
5,190
0.8%
12,620
1.6%
12,830
1.5%
Grand Total
665,900
100.0%
806,500
100.0%
868,700
100.0%
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
 
 
Participation by Age 
Table 4A: FE and Skills Participation by Age (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
2010/11
Age
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Under 16
29,090
0.7%
23,760
0.6%
11,300
*
16
395,580
9.3%
382,960
9.1%
372,640
8.6%
17
403,090
9.5%
395,510
9.4%
385,290
8.9%
18
273,900
6.4%
264,690
6.3%
270,410
6.3%
19-24
744,220
17.5%
754,610
17.9%
803,890
18.6%
25-34
782,870
18.4%
796,260
18.9%
837,240
19.4%
35-44
698,520
16.4%
673,170
16.0%
677,840
15.7%
45-59
649,720
15.2%
665,960
15.8%
712,920
16.5%
60+
277,700
6.5%
252,180
6.0%
243,380
5.6%
Not Known
10,170
*
7,520
*
5,350
*
Grand Total
4,264,900
100.0%
4,216,600
100.0%
4,320,300
100.0%
2011/12
2012/13
 

 
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Table 4B: Apprenticeship Participation by Age (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
2010/11
Age
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Under 16
4,150
0.6%
3,480
*
3,440
*
16
42,610
6.4%
39,150
4.9%
33,100
3.8%
17
71,300
10.7%
67,220
8.3%
62,380
7.2%
18
85,070
12.8%
79,740
9.9%
82,390
9.5%
19-24
251,900
37.8%
272,130
33.7%
294,500
33.9%
25-34
91,440
13.7%
143,580
17.8%
170,210
19.6%
35-44
62,490
9.4%
101,060
12.5%
111,720
12.9%
45-59
53,450
8.0%
93,980
11.7%
105,240
12.1%
60+
3,490
0.5%
6,150
0.8%
5,750
0.7%
Not Known
-
-
-
-
-
-
Grand Total
665,900
100.0%
806,500
100.0%
868,700
100.0%
2011/12
2011/12
2012/13
 
 

 
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Apprenticeship starts by Sector Subject Area and Gender 
29 
In 2012/13, in the five largest Apprenticeship Sector Subject Areas (SSAs) by number of starts: 
 
63.4 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Business, Administration and Law are by females 
 
79.4 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Health, Public Services and Care are by females 
 
55.8 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Retail and Commercial Enterprise are by females 
 
7.4 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies are by females 
 
34.7 per cent of Apprenticeship starts in Leisure, Travel and Tourism are by females [Table 8]2 
 
Table 8: All Age Apprenticeship Starts by Sector Subject Area (SSA) and Gender (2010/11 to 2012/13) 
Female
Male
All
Female
Male
All
Female
Male
All
Sector Subject Area
% of SSA
% of SSA
Number
% of SSA
% of SSA
Number
% of SSA
% of SSA
Number
Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
41.6%
58.4%
7,380
35.1%
64.9%
7,570
34.8%
65.2%
7,090
Arts, Media and Publishing
31.7%
68.3%
1,030
41.5%
58.5%
1,210
39.8%
60.2%
1,120
Business, Administration and Law
65.3%
34.7%
133,820
64.3%
35.7%
164,830
63.4%
36.6%
160,410
Construction, Planning and the Built Environment
1.7%
98.3%
22,420
1.9%
98.1%
13,920
1.9%
98.1%
13,730
Education and Training
87.3%
12.7%
4,140
82.1%
17.9%
7,550
82.0%
18.0%
8,050
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
5.6%
94.4%
54,640
7.8%
92.2%
69,730
7.4%
92.6%
66,410
Health, Public Services and Care
81.7%
18.3%
89,900
79.5%
20.5%
108,810
79.4%
20.6%
123,370
Information and Communication Technology
25.2%
74.8%
19,520
21.7%
78.3%
18,520
21.4%
78.6%
14,120
Leisure, Travel and Tourism
29.2%
70.8%
21,590
29.2%
70.8%
19,770
34.7%
65.3%
14,360
Retail and Commercial Enterprise
61.8%
38.2%
102,770
54.2%
45.8%
108,300
55.8%
44.2%
101,240
Science and Mathematics
-
62.5%
10
42.6%
57.4%
370
42.0%
58.0%
320
Unknown
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Grand Total
53.8%
46.2%
457,200
53.1%
46.9%
520,600
54.7%
45.3%
510,200
2010/11
2012/13
2011/12
 
                                            
2 Full data, including breakdowns by age, are available in Table 8 of the spreadsheet accompanying this report. 

 
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Chart 8: All Age Apprenticeship Starts by Sector Subject Area and Gender, (2012/13) 
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
Agriculture, 
Horticulture and 
Animal Care
Arts, Media and 
Publishing
Business, 
Administration 
and Law
Construction, 
Planning and 
the Built 
Environment
Education and 
Training
Engineering and 
Manufacturing 
Technologies
Health, Public 
Services and 
Care
Information and 
Communication 
Technology
Leisure, Travel 
and Tourism
Retail and 
Commercial 
Enterprise
Science and 
Mathematics
Starts
Sector Subject Area (SSA)
Apprenticeship Starts by Sector Subject Area and Gender 2012/13
2012/13 Female
2012/13 Male
 

 
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Success Rates 
Success Rates by Ethnicity 
30 
In 2012/13, all age Apprenticeship success rates ranged from 62.1 per cent for learners from an Other ethnic group, to 72.8 
per cent for White learners, a gap of 10.7 percentage points. [Chart 9A]. 
Chart 9A: All Age Apprenticeship Success Rates by Ethnicity (2008/09 to 2012/13)  
 
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Asian / Asian British
Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Group
Other Ethnic Group
White
Success Rates (%)
Ethnicity 
All Age Apprenticeship Success Rates by Ethnicity (2008/09 to 2012/13)
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
  

 
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31 
In adult Workplace Learning provision in 2012/13, success rates ranged from 87.6 per cent for learners from mixed/ multiple 
ethnic groups, to 91.2 per cent for learners from Asian/Asian British backgrounds, a gap of 3.6 percentage points [Chart 9B]. 
 
Chart 9B: Adult (19+) Workplace Learning Success Rates by Ethnicity (2011/12 to 2012/13) 
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Asian / Asian British
Black/African/Caribbean/Black 
British
Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Group
Other Ethnic Group
White
Success Rates (%)
Ethnicity
Adult (19+) Work Place Learning Success Rates by Ethnicity (2011/12 to 2012/13)
2011/12
2012/13
  
 

 
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32 
In 2012/13, Adult Education and Training success rates ranged from 84.6 per cent for Mixed/Multiple Ethnic, and Other Ethnic 
Group learners, to 87.4 per cent for White learners, a gap of 2.8 percentage points. (Chart 9C). 
 
Chart 9C: Adult (19+) Education and Training Success Rates by Ethnicity (2008/09 to 2012/13) 
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Asian / Asian British
Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Group
Other Ethnic Group
White
Success Rates (%)
Ethnicity
Adult (19+) Education and Training Success Rates by Ethnicity (2008/09 to 2012/13)
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
  
 

 
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Success Rates by Gender 
33 
In 2012/13, the all-age Apprenticeship success rate for females was 72.4 per cent, compared to 72.1 per cent for males. 
[Table 10A] 
 
Table 10A: Apprenticeship Success Rates by Age and Gender 2010/11 to 2012/13 - Percentages 
Gender
Under 19
19-24
25+
All Age
Under 19
19-24
25+
All Age
Under 19
19-24
25+
All Age
Female
75.1%
77.8%
79.4%
77.2%
73.7%
76.1%
72.0%
73.7%
72.5%
72.3%
72.5%
72.4%
Male
73.2%
77.9%
77.9%
75.7%
72.7%
75.7%
73.7%
74.0%
70.7%
72.7%
72.7%
72.1%
Grand Total
74.0%
77.8%
78.8%
76.4%
73.1%
75.9%
72.6%
73.8%
71.5%
72.5%
72.7%
72.3%
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
 
 
34 
In adult Workplace Learning in 2012/13, the female success rate was 87.6 per cent, 2.4 percentage points lower than the 
male success rate (90.0 per cent) [Table 10B].  
 
Table 10B: Adult (19+) Workplace Learning Success Rates by Gender (2011/12 to 2012/13) - Percentages 
Gender
2011/12
2012/13
Female
89.2%
87.6%
Male
91.3%
90.0%
Grand Total
90.5%
89.1%  

 
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35 
In 2012/13, adult women had a success rate of 86.6 per cent, which was 0.5 percentage points lower than that for men (87.1 
per cent) [Table 10C].  
 
Table 10C: Adult (19+) Education and Training Success Rates by Gender (2010/11 to 2012/13) - Percentages 
 
 
Gender
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Female
81.9%
84.1%
86.6%
Male
80.7%
83.7%
87.1%
Grand Total
81.4%
83.9%
86.8%  
 
Success Rates by Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities  
36 
In all-age Apprenticeships, the success rate for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities was 67.6 per cent in 
2012/13. This was 5.2 percentage points lower than the success rate for learners who did not declare learning difficulties 
and/or disabilities (72.8 per cent). [Table 11A.1]. 
 
Table 11A.1: Apprenticeship Success Rates by Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (2010/11 to 2012/13) - Percentages 
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Learning Difficulty/Disability
72.6%
70.4%
67.6%
No Learning Difficulty/Disability
76.8%
74.1%
72.8%
Not Known
73.5%
74.9%
64.5%
Grand Total
76.4%
73.8%
72.3%  

 
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37 
In 2012/13, all-age Apprenticeship success rates by disability impairment type ranged from 50.8 per cent for apprentices with 
emotional and behavioural difficulties, to 74.2 per cent for those with a temporary disability after illness [Table 11A.2].  
 
Table 11A.2: All Age Apprenticeship Success Rates by Disability (2010/11 to 2012/13) – Percentages (extract) 
Disability
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Visual Impairment
77.0%
75.8%
67.7%
Hearing Impairment
74.3%
73.3%
69.7%
Disability Affecting Mobility
74.4%
69.3%
68.6%
Other Physical Disability
76.9%
70.4%
69.3%
Other Medical Condition (For Example Epilepsy, Asthma, Diabetes)
76.4%
74.2%
70.4%
Emotional/Behavioural Difficulties
67.8%
65.3%
50.8%
Mental Health Difficulty
69.6%
60.3%
59.6%
Temporary Disability After Illness (For Example Post-Viral) or Accident
70.6%
61.5%
74.2%
Profound Complex Disabilities
83.3%
87.0%
68.4%
Asperger's Syndrome
70.4%
72.6%
63.5%
Multiple Disabilities
76.2%
73.1%
67.0%
Other
71.6%
70.8%
66.2%
No Disability
76.5%
73.8%
72.8%
Not Known/ Information not provided
74.3%
75.2%
67.5%
Grand Total
76.4%
73.8%
72.3%  

 
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38 
In 2012/13, all-age Apprenticeship success rates by learning difficulty ranged from 59.6 per cent for apprentices with an Other 
Specific Learning Difficulty, to 70.3 per cent for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 72.8 per cent for those with no 
learning difficulty. [Table 11A.3] 
 
Table 11A.3: All Age Apprenticeship Success Rates by Learning Difficulty (2010/11 to 2012/13) – Percentages 
Learning Difficulty
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Moderate Learning Difficulty
66.4%
63.7%
63.1%
Severe Learning Difficulty
63.7%
71.8%
59.8%
Dyslexia
72.6%
69.7%
68.4%
Dyscalculia
73.5%
74.3%
68.5%
Other Specific Learning Difficulty
67.2%
65.2%
59.6%
Autism Spectrum Disorder
71.0%
66.4%
70.3%
Multiple Learning Difficulties
59.6%
63.2%
64.9%
Other
70.1%
67.9%
65.5%
No Learning Difficulty
76.8%
74.0%
72.8%
Not Known/ Information not provided
75.0%
77.9%
68.0%
Grand Total
76.4%
73.8%
72.3%  
 
39 
In 2012/13, adult Workplace learners who declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities had a success rate of 86.2 per cent, 
3.1 percentage points lower than for those who did not (89.3 per cent). [Table 11B.1].  
 
Table 11B.1: Adult (19+) Workplace Learning Success Rates Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities 
(2011/12 to 2012/13) - Percentages  
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
2011/12
2012/13
Learning Difficulty/Disability
89.0%
86.2%
No Learning Difficulty/Disability
90.7%
89.3%
Not Known
89.2%
88.8%
Grand Total
90.6%
89.1%   
40 
In adult Education and Training provision in 2012/13, learners who declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities had a 
success rate of 87.1 per cent, 0.3 percentage points higher than those who did not (86.8 per cent) [Table 11C.1]. 

 
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Table 11C.1: Adult (19+) Education and Training Success Rates by Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (2010/11 to 
2012/13) – Percentages 
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Learning Difficulty/Disability
81.8%
84.0%
87.1%
No Learning Difficulty/Disability
81.6%
84.0%
86.8%
Not Known
78.7%
82.7%
84.9%
Grand Total
81.4%
83.9%
86.8%  
 
Success Rates by Age 
Table 12A: Apprenticeship Success Rates by Age (2010/11 to 2012/13) - Percentages 
Age
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Under 19
74.0%
73.1%
71.5%
19-24
77.8%
75.9%
72.5%
25+
78.8%
72.6%
72.6%
Grand Total
76.4%
73.8%
72.3%  
 

 
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Table 12B: Adult (19+) Workplace Learning Success Rates by Age (2011/12 to 2012/13) – Percentages 
Age
2011/12
2012/13
Under 16
-
-
16
34.8%
-
17
32.1%
60.0%
18
34.8%
89.5%
19-24
88.1%
87.0%
25-34
90.3%
88.7%
35-44
91.2%
89.7%
45-59
91.6%
90.1%
60+
91.6%
90.4%
Not Known
-
-
Grand Total
90.5%
89.1%  
 
Table 12C: Adult (19+) Education and Training Success Rates by Age (2010/11 to 2012/13) - Percentages 
Age
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Under 16
-
-
-
16
80.8%
82.5%
84.4%
17
84.4%
85.6%
87.0%
18
80.0%
82.3%
84.1%
19-24
79.0%
81.9%
84.9%
25-34
80.9%
83.4%
86.3%
35-44
81.9%
84.2%
87.2%
45-59
82.8%
85.1%
88.3%
60+
88.9%
91.0%
92.2%
Not Known
83.8%
87.4%
-
Grand Total
81.8%
83.8%
86.0%  
 

 
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Support 
Should you have any questions about the data analysis please contact the Skills Funding Agency Service Desk on 
xxx@xxx.xx or telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx. 
 
 
 
 
 
Date Published 
15 July 2014 
Publication no. 
SkillsFundingAgency-P-140107 
 
 
Version 
1