YOU’RE HIRED! Apprenticeships make comeback as tuition fees bite
Apprenticeships are making a remarkable comeback with increasing numbers of young people opting to learn while they earn, research suggests.
Only half of those aged 16 to 18 see university as the best route to a career, down from 86pc six years ago.
Attitudes among parents are also shifting, with 41pc saying an apprenticeship is the best option for their child.
More than a fifth of school-leavers say they intend to apply for an apprenticeship, according to jobs website Monster.
the figures reflect the spiralling cost of going to university and a drive by employers ranging from large Ftse 100 companies such as Bt to small and medium firms to take on more apprentices.
A decade ago, apprenticeships – then largely confined to trades such as building and plumbing – were viewed as a second-class route into the workplace, with most schools pushing university as the path to prosperity.
however, the stigma from apprenticeships has largely lifted with places on schemes run by top firms highly sought-after.
their scope has also widened into areas such as banking and project management. Businesses view apprenticeships as a way to recruit skilled and loyal staff.
the figures have emerged ahead of the national Apprenticeship Awards, which aim to celebrate success stories and the range of options now available.
there are 74 nominees across nine categories for this year’s awards, which have been running for 16 years.
Winners, who are chosen by a judging panel and public vote, will be announced at a glitzy ceremony in london on november 27, as well as two highly-commended runners up for each award. Matthew turner, one of the finalists, works at Gemini Accident repair centre in rotherham while studying for his apprenticeship at nottingham college. the 21- year- old ( pictured below) is two years into the three-year scheme and earns about £18,000 per year.
he said: ‘it was a choice for me between university and an apprenticeship, so i weighed my options and went with an apprenticeship because i have always liked cars and worked well with my hands.
‘i got it and i have to say i’m absolutely loving it. i’m learning something new every day and it is something that i really enjoy doing.’
Dave sargeant, managing director at Gemini, added: ‘ We are so pleased, and proud of Matthew and wish him lots of luck in the competition.’
lloyds Banking Group is the sponsor of the ‘rising star’ category, which this year includes nominees from aerospace, pharmaceuticals, consultancy, banking, health and technology. the bank itself takes on hundreds of apprentices per year, with about 7,900 recruited since 2012. Dave Atkinson, UK head of manufacturing at lloyds, said: ‘it’s taken time, but apprenticeship schemes are no longer viewed as a secondary route into work. ‘ Our own schemes have increased overall staff engagement levels, supported our diversity agenda and led to cost savings of almost £3m per annum.’ lloyds sponsors the Advanced Manufacturing technology centre (AMtc) in coventry, which plans to train 3,500 apprentices over ten years. experts believe apprenticeships are a key way of improving the skills of the workforce and improving productivity. the chartered Management institute advocates shorter more flexible apprenticeships so older workers and middle managers can also benefit.