Interview apprenticeship and T Levels experts and trainees about quality alternatives to university for school leavers facing pressure with clearing.
Businesses are being urged by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to offer more apprenticeships to young people who will soon be getting their exam results – because demand is now by far outstripping supply.
In 2023, 430,000 students expressed an interest in apprenticeship opportunities via UCAS – a 180% increase since 2021.
But the total number of apprenticeship vacancies publicised through the Department for Education’s Find an Apprenticeship service was only 189,430 for the last academic year – up 41% from 134,460 the previous year yet still nowhere near enough businesses are offering opportunities.
The message is clear ahead of A Level, T Level and GCSE results day that more employers need to offer apprenticeships to school leavers, to meet the demand generated by improvements in standards and scope of programmes following a decade of reform.
Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, chair of IfATE, said:
“The quality of apprenticeships is so much better. Young people get this, and the problem now is that demand is outstripping supply. As a former chief executive of a FTSE 250 firm and president of the British Chambers of Commerce, I understand the financial difficulties employers are facing. But I want to urge many more to offer apprenticeships ahead of A Level, T Level and GCSE results week.
“We know business are really struggling to recruit people with the right skills, so why not train your own? The return on investment per apprentice is estimated to be £2,500 to £18,000, we know it encourages more staff loyalty and retention, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to set people off onto successful career paths. To me, it’s a no brainer.”
UCAS Head of Apprenticeships, Lindsay Conroy, said:
“Apprenticeships can unlock doors, giving apprentices the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience and enabling employers to tap into the next generation of talent for their organisation.
“We know current demand for apprenticeships outstrips supply, with 40% of all UCAS undergraduate applicants now interested in an apprenticeship role – about 430,000 potential apprentices – with projections that interest could surge to over half a million by the end of the decade as part of the Journey to a Million.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with employers, IfATE and other sector bodies to drive up supply to ensure we capitalise on this significant economic opportunity.”
Apprenticeships are all now designed by employers, with IfATE support, to make sure they meet industry needs. This benefits apprentices who can be confident they are acquiring knowledge and skills businesses really value.
