Member Article

The Benefits of Apprenticeships in the UK Today

By now we’re well into the month of September, meaning thousands of pupils will be preparing to further their education, be it through school, sixth form, college or university. Alternatively, some

may have chosen to go straight into employment, eager to earn their first full-time wage. However, as a way of combining the two, some students may have opted to start an apprenticeship with a local business, enabling themselves to earn money whilst learning new skills and experiencing new trades. Apprenticeships have many positives for both students and employers, and whilst options and availabilities may vary depending on area, the benefits are universal.

The Apprentice

For many students, the pull between choosing to work or earn full time can be a stressful decision to make. Some may not feel comfortable or well suited to a classroom-based learning environment, potentially putting them off continuing their education, whilst many may not want to distract themselves from their studies, by working part time alongside a college or university course. This is where apprenticeships can be most valuable, offering students an opportunity to financially provide for themselves whilst learning about their area of interest.

By training in a variety of environments, all relevant to their chosen field, students are able to expand their wealth of knowledge. Perhaps learning on a residential building site one week, and then moving on to a larger commercial site the next, should they be exploring the construction industry for example. In addition to this, students are often able to learn directly from their employers, allowing them to gain insights and experience from those who are still fully submerged in their chosen field.

Furthermore, creating these types of connections with employers and fellow employees has the potential to open up future career opportunities, allowing students to work their way up and progress within the company or industry of their interest. Alternatively, having a work based qualification on a CV can be incredibly attractive to potential employers, showing them the transferable skills that are accumulated through training in a combined practical and theory based training environment.

The Employer

For employers, the wealth of benefits is just as vast. Certain industries, such as the construction industry, are feeling the strain of employees leaving individual businesses, mostly as a result of ageing and retirement. Approximately 500,000 employees have left construction since 2008, as a result of workers reaching retirement age. In addition to this, a further 400,000 are expected to retire in the near future, meaning the industry is seeing an incredibly large deficit in the size of the workforce. To contextualise, 140,000 homes were built in the past 12 months, 100,000 less than what was required. By taking on students as apprentices, businesses are not only expanding their workforce but also ensuring that they can teach and train an employee at the very beginning of their career. Abel Homes who build New Homes in Norfolk for example have noticed the benefits of taking on apprenticeships in terms of filling these gaps.

An additional benefit to employers is that for 16-18 year-olds, and 19 year-olds in their first year of employment, a portion of their wages are earned through the hands-on learning they experience during their placement. Meaning that taking on an apprentice has the potential to cost the company less, in comparison to what they would be paying a fully qualified worker. Furthermore, certain businesses can apply for employer grants. In 2015, if a business can prove they have a work force of fewer than 50 employees, and that they would be unable to take on an apprentice without additional funding, they could be eligible to apply for up to 5 grants of £1,500.This allows placements to provide financial benefits for both students and employers; students get to earn money whilst learning about their area of interest, and businesses only have to pay a percentage of the industry standard wage.

Enrolling in an apprenticeship programme can be extremely rewarding for both employers and students. Through enabling students to learn in a hands-on environment, in particular those who may not enjoy academia in its traditional form such as college or university, they are a great opportunity for pupils to learn within the workforce. And for companies themselves, it enables them to draw a new generation of workers into their businesses, allowing them to give students the best and most relevant training from the offset.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chloe Hashemi .