Eight out of ten (83%) apprentices said their apprenticeship improved their ability to do their job and boosted career prospects.
In a separate survey, 72% of employers said apprenticeships improved their product or service quality and 68% apprentices improved productivity.
“We want it to become the new norm that young people go either to university or into an apprenticeship,” skills minister Matthew Hancock said.
“Whether they want to be a pilot, an accountant or even a space engineer, I would urge teenagers receiving their exam results to consider how an apprenticeship could help them achieve their career goals.”
The study combined the results of surveys of 4,000 employers, 5,000 apprentices and 4,000 workers who recently completed an apprenticeship.
It found an overall satisfaction rate of 84% for the apprenticeship programme.
The majority (64%) of apprentices work in small companies. By sector, 21% work in health and social care; 16% in wholesale, retail and motor vehicle repair; and 14% in agriculture, fishing, forestry and arts.
