This article reports the results of a study of the 'over-training' of apprentices by large manufacturers in the UK. The term 'over-training' was traditionally used to refer to the way in which nationalised industries trained more apprentices than they needed, with the 'surplus' being released at the end of their training to find another employer. In contrast, the evidence reported in this article indicates that over-training now typically involves large employers helping to train apprentices who are employed and paid by other firms from the outset. The project examines the extent and nature of over-training, the reasons why employers become involved in over-training, and policy implications. The evidence suggests that over-training can increase the number of high-quality apprenticeships. Large employers need to be made more aware of over-training. Government can help promote over-training via its 'Catapult Centres'. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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