I am a college lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo in North Wales and wish to comment with regards to your investigation into the decline of apprenticeship uptakes in Wales. 

During the past few years we have successfully built up our student numbers studying the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) course under the Modern Apprenticeship Funding Scheme. During 2010/11 we had a cohort of 36 Accounting Modern Apprentices.   The apprenticeship scheme for accounting students was popular with both students and employers and was an excellent example of apprenticeship qualifications equipping Welsh companies and organisations for the future.

Unfortunately from September 2011, Modern Apprenticeship funding for accounting students at this college was withdrawn which may explain a very small element of the drop off rate you are analysing.

S. A. Harding

Lecturer and Course Co-ordinator