Looking ahead: what can we expect from apprenticeships in 2020?

Apprenticeships are always changing and continue to be a rewarding choice.

Compared to almost five years ago, there has been a significant rise in the amount of people choosing apprenticeships. This is a positive sign that employers are finding relevance and desire for the valuable workplace skills and abilities that apprentices acquire throughout their training programme.

And why wouldn’t they? Apprenticeships have been a great way for people to earn a wage while they learn important practical and cognitive skills surrounding the industry they work in. This already puts them one step ahead as they acquire familiarity with what’s expected of them.

So, how are apprenticeships changing?

Well, one of the most notable behavioural patterns is the ”apprenticeships” place in education and society. Apprenticeships have always been around, but there had been points where there was a decline in the numbers of young people entering apprenticeships, which prompted calls from the government to support and retain them.

However, as of from the start of 2020, apprenticeships are more recognised for their potential than ever. This year we can expect to see them expand from more traditional trades into various new sectors and subjects. In recent years, we have seen accountancy apprenticeships grow rapidly, this is because there is a benefit from putting theory into real-life situations. We can expect to see an increase in accounting and financial apprenticeships throughout the year, as well as a growth in sectors that require putting theory into practice.

Attitudes of employers

An employer invests in an apprentice as they see potential and in turn, the apprentice invests in the employer. This is all accompanied by support from the training providers and the government. Apprenticeship training will be more affordable for all businesses, levy payers or not. The government will cover up to 95% of apprenticeship training costs for non-levy payers; this means that more companies and young people can benefit.

But how are the attitudes changing today? Well currently, 89% of employers say apprentices make their business more productive. Another 75% of apprentice employers say that it lowered recruitment costs. Furthermore, 80% say that apprenticeships will play a much more significant part in future recruitment plans due to the extensive benefits.

Developing apprentices

Nowadays, apprenticeships continue to be an attractive route to take for school leavers and people who are interested in changing careers. Additionally, providers and employers need to closely monitor progress, providing mentoring and for learners to help them balance work and life and the course.

However apprenticeships are always changing in the manner of what works best for the employers and the apprentice. Including the incentive for a business that participates in schemes, receiving 95% subsidy, plus £1000 for any under 19 year old given an apprenticeship.

Working conditions are changing for the better

Compared to years ago, in a modern workplace apprentices are treated much differently. Nowadays apprentices are treated as equally as employees and are allowed to fully integrate within company structure and teams. During their learning, employers nuture them and support their learning, they work closely with them to ensure they achieve their qualifications. If a school-leaver ventures straight into an apprenticeship, the environment and expectations can be majorly different, however with support from their provider and employer, they can adapt swiftly and be on track towards their ideal career.

Are you looking to become an apprentice?

We provide access to various apprenticeships; including accountancy, legal services and even management. Find out more about these opportunities:

Are you interested in an apprenticeship scheme?

We also help employers start their first or next apprenticeship schemes. Find out more about apprenticeship and how they can benefit your business: