As thousands of youngsters are contemplating their future with A-level results announced yesterday and GCSE results looming next week, a new study from Positive Outcomes has shown that 93% of employers would prefer to recruit a person who has spent three years completing an apprenticeship instead of someone who has studied for three years.
The national training provider questioned 100 UK employers, and those who prefer an apprentice did so due to the hands on experience an apprentice gains while contributing to the performance of a business, compared to spending three years in a classroom where they will learn the theoretical side to the sector and roles but not any work-readiness skills.
Employers were also asked whether they agree with the statement ‘Apprentices bring a wealth of enthusiasm and energy with them and can make a real difference to a company’s growth’. 86% agreed with the statement and 14% disagreed.
With these statistics in mind, it’s no surprise that employers would be happy to pay more than the minimum wage for apprentices. The current minimum wage for an apprentice is £3.30 per hour, with 18 – 20 year olds earning slightly more at £5.30 per hour (or £10,300 per annum based on a 37.5 hour week). 92% of employers stated they would be willing to pay between £12,000 to £18,000 as a starting salary if they were matched with the “right” candidate for the role and their business. This is an important fact for government to realise as 88% of youngsters are put out off an apprenticeship due to the perception that the wage is too low.
Parents play a pivotal role in influencing which path their child will take when it comes to career decisions following GCSE’s, and a separate study by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, has shown a positive increase in the opinion parents have of apprenticeships. In their study, they found 66% of parents would tell their children that an apprenticeship is a great way to train and gain experience in their chosen field, with 71% believing it’s important for their child to gain work experience to develop practical skills.
There are many benefits for both employers and learners to hiring and becoming an apprentice. Aspire Training Team works with both young people and employers to find them an apprenticeship place in childcare, business administration or health & social care, as well as team leading and management. To find out more details about apprenticeships, you can contact the team on 01202 551553 or email info@aspiretrainingteam.co.uk.
