Key messages
To encourage the employers and potential apprentices who attend or read about your National Apprenticeship Week events and activities in the media to “Get with Apprenticeships”, you may wish to utilise the following Apprenticeship messages and key facts in your presentations and communications.
Key Facts
- Apprentices are employees who earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff in businesses to gain job-specific skills and nationally recognised qualifications
- Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the apprentices' ability and the industry sector
- There are over 200 different types of Apprenticeship frameworks, covering more than 1,200 different job roles in a range of industry sectors, from engineering to boat building, veterinary nursing to accountancy.
- The training for 16-18 year old apprentices is fully funded by the Government.
- The minimum apprentice wage is £2.60 an hour – although the average is £170 per week take home pay
- WorldSkills UK national competitions raise participation, esteem and standards in Apprenticeships by providing apprentices with the opportunity to build confidence and knowledge of their skill helping them to progress the workplace.
Key Statistics
- Over 100,000 employers in over 160,000 workplaces in England offer Apprenticeships
- There were over a half a million (685,000) apprentices working in England throughout the 2010/11 academic year
- Provisional data shows 2010/11 Apprenticeship starts have risen by 58% compared to the full 2009/10 academic year. This is not only great news for young people, but also for employers and the economy
- Established sectors such as construction, manufacturing and engineering are continuing to support Apprenticeships as well as a significant increase in the service sector
- The range of occupations today is wide-ranging and diverse and Apprenticeships have developed to match this. Some of the fastest growing areas have been in IT, accountancy, childcare, health and retail
- At WorldSkills London 2011, the world’s largest international skills competition, three former UK apprentices showcased their talent on the world stage, winning gold medals in bricklaying, stonemasonry and plumbing.
Key Messages for Employers
Apprenticeships are good for business – they provide real, measurable benefits for employers. They bring productive, enthusiastic and loyal people into your organisation and demonstrate your commitment to investing in your people to customers and suppliers.
New Higher Apprenticeship opportunities will be available soon, which means employers will be able to develop their staff to a higher standard and attract the very best candidates to support improved productivity and performance.
Reasons for employers to Get with Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeships are proven to be good for your business
- Apprentices increase productivity and efficiency. 80% of those who employ apprentices agree that they make the workplace more productive
- Apprentices are loyal and hardworking and help businesses grow. 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
- 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their Apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future
- 81% of consumers would prefer to use a company that employs apprentices
- You can advertise your Apprenticeship vacancies free of charge to hundreds of potential apprentices on Apprenticeship vacancies, the official online recruitment system for Apprenticeships in England
- The NAS can support you every step of the way with your Apprenticeship recruitment, call them on 08000 150 600 or go to apprenticeships.org.uk.
Key Messages for Potential Apprentices
Apprenticeships are a great way to begin your career. You earn and learn on the job and at the same time, gain nationally recognised qualifications and enjoy career progression opportunities.
Reasons for apprentices to Get with Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeships are a great way to start a successful career. You earn while you learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications
- Apprenticeships are available in all sectors and industries throughout England. There are more than 200 different types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,200 job roles, in a range of industry sectors, from engineering to boat building, veterinary nursing to accountancy
- Research has shown apprentices enjoy marked salary increases when they complete their Apprenticeship training
- New Higher Apprenticeship opportunities will be available soon, which will give apprentices access to exciting, new employment opportunities with great career progression options and valuable professional skills
- You can search and apply for Apprenticeship vacancies online, using the official recruitment system for Apprenticeships in England. There are around 8,000 jobs on Apprenticeship vacancies at any time.
Last Updated: 07/12/2011