Data collected by research company ICM has revealed that 54% of young people in England would choose to do an Apprenticeship if one were available.
The amount of young people wishing to take on an Apprenticeship has risen to 56% of those who are already university students and 66% of those who are already employed, but receiving no training.
The increasing popularity of Apprenticeships among young people comes after previous business research conducted by ICM, released earlier in 2013, showed that employers find apprentices 15% more employable than young people with other qualifications. In the study, employers ranked higher apprentices as the most employable of all young people – above those with degrees.
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock commented: ”Apprenticeships are fast becoming the norm for school leavers who want to earn while they learn and forge a successful career, as this data shows. We are introducing more than 40 new Higher Apprenticeships this year so young people can now enter areas as diverse as space engineering and law. With exam results out soon, I would urge more young people to consider whether an Apprenticeship could be the right option for them.”
David Way, Executive Director of the National Apprenticeship Service commented: “Last year, the National Apprenticeship Service saw a record number of applications for Apprenticeships on A-Level results day, and with up to 17,000 vacancies now available online at any one time, this summer we’re expecting that the number of young people applying for an Apprenticeship could hit a new high.”
To help young people access impartial and independent advice, the National Careers Service and National Apprenticeship Service have partnered to create two special services offering advice to young people – and their parents – during the exam results period.
A week-long Jobs Bus roadshow, run in partnership with the Daily Mirror and Fish4Jobs, will tour England from 15th to 22nd August to provide face-to-face workshops and advice to people of all ages in Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Lewisham and Bromley.
The Jobs Bus will then return after the August bank holiday for a further two-weeks from 5th-18th September taking in a further 12 towns and cities. To find out more and to sign up for on-board advice sessions visit jobsbus.org.uk.
In addition, a special #ResultsAdvice service will run on Twitter and Facebook between the 15th and 29th August to give young people the opportunity to ask questions about their exam results, Apprenticeships and wider career options.
