Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) from Modern Apprenticeships: 2020/21: Scotland

Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level

Table 2 shows the median total earnings of MA completers five years after completion split by SVQ level (see note on SVQ level in Methodology) and sex.

It shows that those completing MAs at SVQ level 2 in 2015/16 were earning £19,200 in 2020/21, compared to £23,700 for those completing MAs at SVQ level 3, and £40,500 for those completing MAs at SVQ of level 4 or greater. Those completing MAs at higher levels consistently earned more than those completing MAs at lower levels for both female and male completers.

For female completers from 2015/16, those completing MAs at SVQ level 4 or greater earned on average £4,500 more than those completing at level 3, and those completing at level 3 earned on average £2,400 more than those completing at level 2, showing a positive correlation between level of qualification and earnings (£23,600 for SVQ of level 4 or greater, £19,100 for SVQ level 3 and £16,700 for SVQ level 2).

For males, those completing MAs at SVQ level 4 or greater earned on average £15,600 more than those completing at level 3, and those completing at level 3 earned on average £6,000 more than those completing at level 2, again showing a positive correlation between level of qualification and earnings (£43,300 for SVQ of level 4 or greater, £27,700 for SVQ level 3 and £21,700 for SVQ level 2).

The earnings gap between female and male completers becomes wider as the level of SVQ qualification increases, with the largest earnings gap seen for SVQ qualifications of level 4 or greater. This is partly due to the small number of females, relative to men, completing at level 5.

*2015/16 Modern Apprenticeship (MA) completers in Scotland
(1) Hours worked are not taken into account.
(2) SVQ level 4+ includes level 4 and level 5.