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Apprenticeships – Becoming a Career Choice for Many More Young People

Many young people just having received A Level or GCSE results will be considering their futures right now. An increasing number are now reported to be considering Apprenticeships as a real career choice.

This headline above seems to go against recent trends, where the number of Apprenticeship starts has fallen in recent years from a high of 521,000 in 2011/12, down to 440,000 in 2013/14. However much of this drop is down to the introduction of a student loan type of scheme for the over 25 age group Apprentices in 2013. In 2014/15 this figure is reported to be increasing again.

Furthermore, since David Cameron’s recent announcement that the Government is fully committed to generating 3 million Apprentices by 2020, the demand for Apprenticeships is again on the rise.

Emphasising the importance of apprenticeships on the future of the UK’s workforce, he said:

‘‘The greatest asset any employer has is their workforce. And by investing in them, they are investing in the success and future of their business.’’

‘‘As a one nation government, we are committed to supporting 3 million quality apprenticeships over the next 5 years – to help strengthen our economy, deliver the skills that employers need and give millions more hardworking people financial security and a brighter future.’’

But – why would young people choose an Apprenticeship over a University route?

The Question - Student Debt Vs 4 years of experience?

An Apprenticeship is a paid role, so enables the young person to “earn while they learn”.

Student debt continues to rise, with an ongoing debate about how much will actually be paid off – nevertheless many young people are being put off by the mounting debt figures. The BBC Education website in 2014 reported that

“Most students will still be paying back loans from their university days in their 40s and 50s, and many will never clear the debt, (from research by the Sutton Trust). This found that a typical student would now leave university with "much higher debts than before", averaging more than £44,000.”

OK, Apprenticeship wages tend to be low - in Swindon the going rate for new Apprenticeships is £4 - £4.50, to start, although the average weekly wage for an apprentice in the UK in 2014 was £210 per week. However years of experience in a job role is viewed by employers as significant when choosing between an Apprentice and a Graduate with no or little work experience.

Many more employers are now prepared to put more than just 1 or 2 years of investment into good young people in their workforce, to help to build their Managers of the future. Many more employers are considering sponsoring their Apprentices through higher level qualifications, and onto Degrees. And the options for choosing this route continue to increase.

In 2014, 19% of Advanced Apprentices (A level equivalent) progress to Higher Education, with Higher Apprenticeships (1st year degree level) available in over 40 subjects. Take ICT – there are now 9 universities and a dozen major employers involved in offering fully integrated Honours Degree level ICT apprenticeships this year.

https://www.thetechpartnership.com/recruit-and-train/degree-apprenticeships/

Many of the professions – such as law and medicine – are introducing Apprenticeship led entry routes into their sectors.

In a recent survey by Green Labyrinth to local employers, they seemed to support the move towards higher level apprenticeships – with feedback including

“The only barrier is the perception of Apprenticeships that still exist and the notion that you have to have a degree in order to build a career in the professions”
“More importantly, Apprenticeships offer a viable alternative to University”
50% agreeing that Apprenticeships develop the organisation’s managers of the future
20% actively seeking to recruit an apprentice in the next 3-6 months
50% of those who have employed an Apprentice in the last 2 years, were Very Likely to recommend having an Apprentice to others

Apprenticeship Key Facts (Apprenticeships.gov.uk)

In 2014 the most popular apprenticeship was health and social care
Since 2010, there have been over 2 million apprenticeship starts in England
Apprenticeships are available in over 170 industries including aerospace, fashion, broadcast media and finance – with 1500 job roles available
Women now take up 55% of apprenticeships
19% of advanced apprentices progress to Higher Education
Higher apprenticeships are available in 40 subjects
90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship (includes 2% self-employed)
71% of apprentices stay with the same employer
82% said their apprenticeship had improved their ability to do the job and 79% said that their career prospects had improved
More than 850,000 people have been earning and learning on an apprenticeship in 2013 to 2014
Up to 25,000 apprenticeship vacancies available online at any one time
There were 1.4 million online applications in 2012 to 2013
There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice, or start an apprenticeship