Benchmarking survey reveals key insights and recommendations for inclusive apprenticeship practices

The Apprenticeship Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarking survey was conducted in 2024 by Amazing Apprenticeships and Inclusion 365, gathering feedback and providing insights into the employment practices of various apprenticeship employers in England, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion. The findings have been collated into a report, which has been shared with the sector ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

Anna Morrison, founder and director of Amazing Apprenticeships added, “Through the Genie Programme, we regularly speak with employers, and we know that they are keen to understand the recruitment practices of other employers, and to be able to compare their own approaches. This report brings together the survey data, alongside other research and case studies to focus in on some of the key areas we need to look at.”

The report highlights some of the effective practice emerging from the sector through the survey data and additionally through the inclusion of relevant employer case studies and focus group feedback. However, it also highlights several areas for development and makes recommendations around three key themes:

1. Employers should prioritise increasing opportunities for under-represented groups, with a greater focus on removing barriers to entry, such as unnecessary GCSE entry requirements.
2. Government should provide further investment through training and development programmes for apprentice line managers in effective strategies and practices to support and retain their apprentice. Furthermore, government should support employers in offering additional financial assistance to apprentices by increasing the apprenticeship incentive (currently £1,000 for certain groups).
3. The sector can do more to demonstrate how additional needs are supported in apprenticeships, from inclusive recruitment practices through to effective on-programme support, we need to articulate this more clearly and provide supporting case studies and role models.

Morrison adds, “This Benchmarking report is the starting point. We are now committed to undertaking a series of ‘deep dives’ into some of the topics that are of particular interest and importance in helping to move the sector forward on some of these key issues”.

To access the full Apprenticeship Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarking Report, please visit:
Benchmarking Report – Genie Programme