One of the major problems surrounding apprenticeships is the amount of misinformation and stereotypes about what they are, who they are for, and why you would do one. We’re here to set the record straight with our 5 myths about apprenticeships.
For a long time, people have held a particular idea about apprenticeships that no longer reflects reality. Unfortunately, this has meant that not as many people are turning to apprenticeships as they should. In fact, apprenticeship starts for the academic year 2022/2023 were down 6.1% on last year’s figures.
Nevertheless, as well as connecting employers and job seekers, one of our primary aims here at Employing an Apprentice is breaking down negative stereotypes and providing people with the facts. We want to equip employers and job seekers with real information about apprenticeships to promote their value and success.
This article will do just that.
Common Apprenticeship Myths
We are going to bust five common myths about apprenticeships. In doing so, we’ll show you why they are a great way to earn and learn!
1. “Apprentices are just people who didn’t do well at school”
The assumption that apprenticeships are the easy route, or a route for people who couldn’t do anything else, is an extremely damaging and unfair stereotype. Apprenticeships are a form of skills-based, vocational learning. This means they tend to suit those who don’t love a traditional classroom environment. It does not mean that they are only for people who didn’t do well at school. In fact, many major companies across the UK offer competitive apprenticeships for some of the country’s brightest and most talented students. Apprenticeships come in all shapes and sizes, meaning that they are brilliant for people with various abilities.
2. “Apprenticeships are only available in specific industries”
Another very common myth about apprenticeships is that they are only for people who want to work in construction or want to be electricians and plumbers. This is an outdated idea of apprenticeships. In reality, apprenticeships have been expanding for years and are available across the creative, healthcare, tech and public service industries. Have a browse of our apprenticeship standards search tool to find apprenticeships in a whole range of areas including finance, marketing, teaching and more.
3. “Apprenticeships are always entry-level jobs and salaries”
Connected to the belief that apprenticeships are only for people who didn’t do well at school is that they are only for people leaving school. This is entirely false. Apprenticeships are offered up to qualification level seven which is the equivalent of a master’s degree. This means that you can do an apprenticeship at any time in your life, whether that’s after leaving school, college or university, or well into your career. Furthermore, despite the apprenticeship minimum wage being relatively low, many companies choose a salary that reflects the level of the role.
For further information, visit our page on Types of Apprenticeships.
4. “Apprenticeships don’t help your career”
Statistics show that roughly 64% of apprentices stay on in their company after completing their apprenticeship. A further 20% find work elsewhere straight away. This shows that doing an apprenticeship is an excellent way of securing yourself a permanent job and earning qualifications to help advance your career. The government have stated that apprenticeships and technical education will play a significant role in rebuilding the economy. They believe apprenticeships are an excellent vehicle for long-term, meaningful employment.
5. “You have to do apprenticeships at a college”
There’s a common misconception that apprenticeships involve going to college to study. While apprenticeships do require at least 20% of your time to be spent on off-the-job training, there are various ways you can complete this training depending on the level of apprenticeship you’re doing. For example, if you’re doing a degree apprenticeship at level six or above, you’ll split your time between your employer and a university. Some apprenticeships use specialist education and training providers in the industry, while others offer in-house training.
Key Takeaways
In summary, apprenticeships are a great way to gain practical skills and qualifications, no matter your age or background. They’re available in a wide variety of different industries and can help you climb the career ladder. Let’s bust these myths about apprenticeships and encourage more people to consider apprenticeships as a viable alternative to university or traditional employment routes.
Now all that’s left is to find the apprenticeship that’s right for you! Visit our dedicated apprenticeship jobs board to find a suitable apprenticeship in your area.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team. And finally, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below for all the latest news and information from Employing an Apprentice.
