Why do we need apprenticeships?

Resources-Article-Individual
SHARE

Given that we provide training management platforms for apprenticeship programmes you might expect that we at Bud are supportive of these schemes. We’d say it goes further than that.

Apprenticeships are a great way to bridge the gap between school and the workplace. They provide young adults and career changers the opportunity to increase their employability without needing to attend a formal education setting. And for employers there are many compelling reasons to hire and develop apprentices as part of your workforce.

Let’s look at some of the benefits of taking part in an apprenticeship scheme…

…as a learner

Did you know that in 2020, students graduating from English universities incurred an average of £40,280 of student loan debt?1 That’s an eye-watering amount to have to pay back once you’re earning above the threshold. As an apprentice you’ll not only avoid the hefty fees and costs, you’ll earn while you learn.

And rather than that learning being fully classroom based, as might be the case in a formal education setting, you’ll be able to learn real practical skills, hands on, while also developing the softer skills that are relevant to your chosen career.

It’s been reported that 22% of graduate recruiters have no minimum requirement for application.2 This suggests that work experience is key and that degrees are perhaps becoming less valued in some workplaces.

From school leavers and university graduates to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely, there is no upper age limit. If you’re over 16, living in England and not in full-time education, then you’re eligible to become an apprentice. And far from the early days of learning a ‘trade’, apprenticeship options are wide and varied, from outdoor apprenticeships to clinical leadership training for junior doctors and even emerging roles in digitalisation and sustainability.

You can think of an apprenticeship as a journey from zero to hero, from being a complete novice in a role to becoming an expert. It’s about developing as a whole person, learning from those who do the job day in, day out.

You’re expected to take on responsibility early and show what you can do. You’re encouraged to network and engage with other apprentices as well as others in your industry. It’s a chance to build communities that will benefit you, and it gives you the opportunity to support others to succeed.

…as an employer

Gov.uk3 reports that 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped to develop skills relevant to their organisation, 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity and 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service.

In fact, adding apprentices to your mix of employees offers you a great way to expand and upskill your workforce. You’ll have the chance to find and bring onboard some of the best talent early on and mould them to suit your company culture and ways of working.

What’s more you can adapt the training to suit the needs of your business. Employers can take an apprentice’s natural soft skills – such as the creativity young apprentices often bring – and merge them with the rich communication and leadership skills that are already at the core of your company.

We’re seeing the world of work changing faster than ever, making hands-on experience truly vital for any employee that is likely to be of value.

Apprenticeship training can provide that hands-on approach alongside any necessary skills development. This means that by the end of the programme employers benefit from highly skilled, highly valuable employees who tick all of their boxes. Crucially, apprenticeships can create a pipeline of talent and guard against future organisational skills gaps.

And it’s not just about offering apprenticeships to young adults or school leavers. Seasoned professionals too can benefit from higher level apprenticeships, whether it’s to help them make a career change, to move into a related field of work or to advance to a more senior level within their current career pathway.

Offering apprenticeships can show staff that you are willing to invest in their continued professional development, and this can help you to retain those ambitious members of your teams who might otherwise be tempted to look elsewhere. So not only do apprenticeships provide a great way to acquire talent, they are an effective way to retain talent, too.

If you’re considering offering apprenticeships through your organisation, book a demo with Bud to find out about how our training management platform has all the vital features to help make life a little easier.

Sources:

1 www.statista.com

2 https://www.associationofapprentices.org.uk

3 https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk