Apprenticeship Training in England: Closing the Gap?

This article is a critical comparison of the development in apprenticeship training in Britain with that in other European countries, particularly Germany. In both countries, the apprenticeship system displays high levels of gender segregation where men dominate the ‘traditional’ apprenticeships in craft, technical and engineering occupations, while women dominate the mainly service or care sector occupations. Attempts to improve and expand apprenticeships in the UK, including tackling occupational segregation, are now unfolding in a climate of severe economic recession and public finance restraint. The article explores the extent to which increased financial investment and policy developments over recent years have improved apprenticeship training in Britain, with specific reference to gender-based occupational segregation and the impact of the global economic recession.