Apprenticeships in West Yorkshire: All parents need to know about the opportunities they offer young people

Speaking ahead of the 2023 West Yorkshire Apprenticeship awards which take place this May, Katie Rankin, the co-chair of the network, and Emerging Talent and Careers Manager of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, explains how apprenticeships are a route to opportunity and economic success.

As a proud sponsor of the event, she values the amazing work of apprentices, employers and families in helping develop young people.

She says: “We recognise the prominent influence parents can play in supporting young people to make decisions on next steps as they step out of education.

“Parents want the best for their children and guiding them through their education and supporting them to do their best is a top priority.”

The many benefits that apprenticeships can bring

Young people have a number of different options when considering what they want to do when they leave school or college.

Katie stresses that it is important to take time to consider all options, even if young people think they know what they want to do, so that they can make an informed decision about their future.

She explains: “I’d like to support parents to provide accurate advice and guidance by dispelling some myths and highlighting some of the many benefits that apprenticeships can bring.

“Apprenticeships have been around for hundreds of years and have long been known as a way to learn a trade/skill in the workplace.

“However, in recent years there has been a steer towards college and universities in the education system, despite huge developments in the apprenticeship arena.”

There are over 650 apprenticeship qualifications

Apprenticeships are a supportive and developing way into employment.

The option should be signposted to all school, college and university leavers as a supportive and developing way into employment.

Apprenticeships are available for anyone over the age of 16 and are also a great next step post A-Level or university, allowing people to earn as they learn in their chosen career route.

They are also a great route for career changers, career returners and those looking to continue their development in the workplace.

There are now over 650 different apprenticeship qualifications available from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 7 (Masters degree) across all industries including finance, engineering, marketing, IT, arts, teaching and healthcare.

Earn a salary and avoid student debt

Says Katie: “Not all young people want to go to college or university, and some may be keen to get into the world of work.

“Apprenticeships can be a great alternative providing supported learning and continued development whilst in the workplace.

“They will benefit from earning a salary and avoid accruing student debt (The average amount of student debt students leave university with is around £45,000**).

“I’ve heard people say that you miss out on ‘the uni life’ by doing an apprenticeship, however in my experience the take home salary provides the independence and means to get out and enjoy life.”

The network of connections that can be made as an apprentice, together with social elements which form part of programmes, enables apprentices to meet new people and get out and experience more.

Keep options open for the career path ahead

Gone are the days where the main options for apprenticeships were hairdressing and engineering.

Katie explains: “There are now so many roles in every industry from software development and cyber security to procurement and law as well as teaching assistant and doctor.

“I would encourage all students who are looking at next steps to keep their options open, apply for apprenticeship options and college/university courses to enable them to make the right choices based on the opportunities available.”

Some employers have now transitioned their traditional graduate programmes into apprenticeships, providing routes into employment, with the added benefit of additional role relevant qualifications.

Katie has been working with universities to understand the benefits of signposting apprenticeships as next steps to graduates as a way into skilled roles, with students really valuing the development and additional qualifications they receive as a result.

Apprentices enjoy salary increases as their skills progress

A huge benefit of apprenticeships is that they are paid jobs, with many employers paying well above the Minimum Apprenticeship Wage with competitive salaries now sitting around the National Living Wage.

Says Katie: “This allows more people to access apprenticeship training who may have financial commitments or families to support.

“Apprentices also benefit from increased future earning potential with those completing a higher apprenticeship potentially seeing increased earnings of an estimated £150,000 over their lifetime*.”

Apprentices enjoy marked salary increases on completion as they progress into skilled, qualified roles with opportunities to continue up the ladder through higher level Apprenticeships up to Masters level (Level 7).

Apprenticeship qualifications are designed by employers to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for, now and in the future, and are reviewed regularly to ensure skills are relevant in industry.

Katie explains: “This is often seen as a more valuable route than college/university as you have workplace experience and relevant qualifications to show that you are capable of working at a certain level.

“There are excellent progression opportunities with over 90% of apprentices remaining employed on completion***.

“Many apprenticeships are only 13-18 months long, meaning apprentices realise the benefits of their training quickly, seeing progression into skilled roles with the pay increases that go with those roles on completion.

However, one common mistake which Katie sees education providers make, is in only signposting degree level apprenticeships to students.

“Whilst there are degree level apprenticeship opportunities for school leavers, across many industries the right starting level may be Level 2, 3 or 4 to enable you to learn the specific industry knowledge needed to allow you to do well and progress up through the business/apprenticeship levels.

“This is especially true if you did not study this subject in school/university.”

How parents can help young people follow their passion

Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to gain numeracy and literacy qualifications for those who didn’t achieve them in school.

Says Katie: “It’s important to note however that more often than not, employers are looking to attract high achievers onto their programmes, so encouraging young people to focus on their English and maths is key to ensuring they have every opportunity available to them when they are considering next steps.

“My advice as an Apprenticeship Ambassador, with over 15 years’ experience managing Apprenticeship programmes across a number of industries, is to do your research and encourage young people to look into the opportunities available in areas they are interested in.

“If they find an option they like the look of in an area they have a passion for then encourage them to apply.

“It’s a fantastic way to kickstart your career, whether you are just entering the world of work or looking to develop into a new area/role.”

The Yorkshire & Humber Apprenticeship Ambassador Network is sponsoring the SME Employer of the Year Category in the 2023 West Yorkshire Apprentice Awards.

The awards recognise and reward both the apprentices and their employers that are excelling across West Yorkshire. For more details visit the 2023 West Yorkshire Apprentice Awards website.

For more information about the Yorkshire & Humber Apprenticeship Ambassador Network go to www.yorkandhumberportal.com

* University education – Is this the best route into employment? AAT and CEBR Feb 2013

** Student Loan Statistics – House of Commons Library 2021-22

*** Amazing Apprenticeships – Apprenticeship Facts