There are some misconceptions around apprenticeships that can deter young people from going down this alternative route to University. These make parents cautious about encouraging their son or daughter to become an apprentice as there are concerns that work-based learning is a less reliable route.
Over the last 5 years apprenticeships have changed significantly. Apprenticeship Standards have been developed which have been designed by employers. They are more robust, more challenging, and now in some areas allow progression up to high levels. More and more employers are seeing apprenticeships as a way of recruiting and developing highly motivated and well educated young people to make a real difference to their business, becoming future managers, specialists, and technicians. Below is a list of commonly thought myths that have deterred young people from going down the apprenticeship route in the past.
Apprenticeships are for people who struggle at school – Myth 1
It used to be the case that those young people considered not academic enough to be successful at university moved on to apprenticeships after leaving school or college.
Untrue! Employers including Network Rail, Gazprom, Haines Watts, and Interactive Investors are looking to recruit graduate calibre young people with great employability skills. They offer attractive starting salaries and see their apprenticeship schemes as a great way to develop their future talent.
Apprenticeship qualifications are less valuable than degrees – Myth 2
Apprenticeship qualifications can run from level 2, which is equivalent to GCSE level, all the way up to level 7, which is the equivalent to a master’s degree. For example, following the apprenticeship route can mean that in 3 years a young person can achieve Professional Accountant AAT level 4 status. They will have had three years great work experience, have no government loan to pay off, and be employed by an organisation that values and support them. As opposed to an Accountancy degree student with possibly little work experience, a loan to pay off, and the need to find employment.
Employers don’t keep apprentices on – Myth 3
Last year 90% of our apprentices who completed their programme stayed with the employer they started with. 2% went to university, 6% went to another employer, and only 2% were let go. The overriding reason for our employers to take on an apprentice is for them to become productive and influential members of the team for many years to come. We have seen many of our Business apprentices progress into roles in HR, management, sales and marketing, finance, recruitment consultancy, training, business development, and IT support positions. Many are actually supporting and mentoring their own apprentices in the workplace
You’re limited to what apprenticeships you can do – Myth 4
With the creation of ‘Apprenticeship Standards,’ there are now apprenticeships developed across almost every occupational area and at different levels. In accountancy there is a level 7 which includes the CIMA or ACCA qualification. Completing Business apprentices can branch out to undertake another apprenticeship in a more specialist area such as Management, Digital Marketing, HR, or Financial Services if their job scope allows.
At The Apprentice Academy we place over 100 young people into apprenticeship positions every year. We deal with highly supportive employers looking for young people that they can develop within their business to be the talent of the future.
Apply for an apprenticeship here.
Enquire about your child becoming an apprentice here.