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UK organisations are facing a double threat in finding the right people. On one hand, it's becoming harder and more expensive to find candidates with the required skills. On the other, upskilling existing staff is being constrained by shrinking training budgets. The solution lies in the UK Apprenticeship programme, but its image is often tarnished by persistent myths.
Here we’ll debunk the myths and reveal the reality of UK Apprenticeships.
This is actually two myths. Firstly, apprenticeships are for everyone of working age, from 16 and with no upper limit. Secondly, there are apprenticeships for just about every job, from able seafarer to zookeeper, and at every level, from school leaver to manager. Nor are they only for new hires – employers can use apprenticeship programmes to upskill existing workers.
Each Apprenticeship comes with an approved programme of knowledge, skills and behaviours that have been developed by industry, professional bodies and training providers. These Standards ensure that apprentices gain meaningful experience. While almost every job has its less exciting tasks, apprentices are not limited to these and gain substantial, valuable experience.
As previously mentioned, there are apprenticeships for every level, and opportunities for people to progress from one apprentice level to another as their career advances. For those who already possess qualifications, apprenticeship programmes offer a way to advance further and even take on management positions – yes there are apprenticeship standards for managers!
As with any job role, rates of pay for apprentices will reflect the job they do, their current levels of qualifications and experience.
It isn’t true that apprenticeships are difficult to set up, Professional Academy for example, works with employers to support the set up and enrolment of apprenticeships. Nor is it true that employers are obliged to ‘babysit’ apprentices – they are expected to ensure proper on-boarding and set aside a minimum of 6 hours per week training time, but again, the training provider will help create a training programme that minimises impact on the employer.
The value of the UK Apprenticeship programme extends beyond providing a government-funded method to train employees. Businesses benefit from attracting and retaining skilled and motivated staff, which leads to improved productivity and an enhanced reputation. Embracing apprenticeships can be a strategic move for any organisation looking to thrive in today's competitive landscape.
Professional Academy offers apprenticeship training for marketers; sales; business administration and management.
Video: Watch our YouTube explainer video on apprenticeships