In the academic year 1996/97, there were 305,900 starts in work-based training for young people (Modern Apprenticeships and Youth Training). The number of starts in Training for Work was 212,700. Planned expenditure for work based-training and Training for Work in 1997-98 is £751 million and £424 million respectively.

Trends and Features
• The total number of trainees participating in work-based training for young people has risen by a third since 1991-92. Over a third are now joining Modern Apprenticeships. Almost a third are aged over 18 on joining.

• Almost 50 per cent of those participating in Youth Training and Modern Apprenticeships are female.

• The number of people participating in Training for Work in 1996-97 was 216,300, considerably lower than the 290,700 in 1993-94, the first year of the programme.

• Around 30 per cent of those participating had been unemployed for two years or more when they joined; up from 20 per cent in 1993-94.