For National Apprenticeship Week we devote our news to the latest insights on apprenticeships and some great stories showing how young people are building skills for the future.
Apprenticeships boosted under plans to broaden UCAS
This his autumn, UCAS will expand their service so that young people can see more personalised options, including apprenticeships. From 2024, they will be able to apply for apprenticeships through UCAS alongside an undergraduate degree application. Of those registering on UCAS nearly half say they would consider an apprenticeship, but currently there are not enough vacancies being advertised through the service to meet growing demand. This change is hoped to put technical and vocational education on an equal footing with traditional academic routes.
Commenting on the change, CEO of City & Guilds, Kirstie Donnelly MBE said: “This news comes at an opportune time, with our latest research finding that more than two in five (43%) young people do not believe that their education has equipped them with the skills they need to get the job they want. To many, university may seem like the only option to bridge this gap. But in reality, there’s a whole range of further education and training routes to consider.”
Positive views on apprenticeships are increasing
People are four times more likely to think apprenticeships offer young people better job prospects than university, according to new research from tech startup Multiverse, shifting from the long held perception that a university degree provides young people with the best chance of succeeding in life.
The research also challenges perceptions that apprenticeships are widely seen as an option for other people’s children. When presented with the choice between university and an apprenticeship for a family member, fewer than two in ten (17%) respondents said they would prefer a relative to go university, in contrast to almost three quarters of respondents (73%) who said they would want a family member to do an apprenticeship.
This is a view shared across all income groups, with just two in ten (19%) of the highest earners preferring a family member to go to university rather than begin an apprenticeship.
Multiverse CEO, Euan Blair said: “The contribution apprentices make to businesses and society is enormous – the Government’s own data shows that for every £1 spent on an apprenticeship, more than £28 is put back into the economy. “Beyond that, apprenticeships are fulfilling the potential of millions of people, diversifying our workforce across the UK, and addressing some of the most critical skills gaps, particularly in digital and tech.”
Skills Minister recognises extraordinary commitment to apprenticeships
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon has praised training provider Realise for committing to provide 25,000 apprenticeships at Levels 2-5 over the next five years across a range of key sectors, including early years education, health and social care and transport.
Security Officers Services Apprenticeship – a new programme for the security industry
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA), its training subsidiary Skills for Security and members like SecuriGroup Limited have launched the UK’s first apprenticeship for frontline security personnel. Their aim is to tackle the outdated image of security and recruit younger people to the industry.
Read about one of the most successful young apprentices, Marcia Mackay
New Investment Banking Apprenticeship Programme is launched
Queen Mary’s University, London has joined forces with Deutsche Bank to offer a degree level apprenticeship in investment banking. The four-year programme, which is targeted at students completing their A-Levels in 2023 or who have completed their A-Levels in 2022, aims to attract talented students who have an interest in a career in banking.
Queen Mary’s University was the first of the universities in the Russell Group to launch degree apprenticeships in 2015.
Kia announces partnership with Skillnet to drive forward apprenticeships
Kia UK has formed a new partnership with Skillnet, the UK’s largest provider of apprenticeships to the automotive industry, alongside plans to relaunch its industry leading Apprenticeship Programme later this year with a focus on cutting-edge education in electrification.
