Apprenticeship Myths – busted!

There are many outdated myth’s around about Apprenticeships. We understand that, as parents/carers, you want the best for your child, especially when it has to do with their education and the first steps of a career. So, we have busted 6 common Apprenticeship myths and put them all in one place for you to read.

Myth #1 – Apprenticeships are for those who didn’t do well at school…

It’s quite a common thought that Apprenticeships are an inferior route to studying at college and going on to university, and that young people who are not academic are the ones who study an Apprenticeship when leaving school.

The fact is, it’s not about how clever you are or what grades you got at GCSE, Apprenticeships are simply an alternative route. For some young people, the academic route of university will be best for them, while the Apprenticeship route of learning in the workplace will suit others.

Many career-driven young people are skipping university and are going straight into work through an Apprenticeship. It’s the best option for those who prefer a hands-on approach to learning and want to get on the career ladder, all while working towards a nationally recognised qualification and earning money at the same time!

Whilst an Apprenticeship is workplace learning, that doesn’t mean that all apprentices are less academic. The fact that you can do an Apprenticeship right from Level 2 up to Degree level undermines the whole myth in itself.

Myth #2 – Apprenticeships are only available in manual jobs…

When you think of an apprentice, do you picture a young person, on a building site, wearing a hard-hat and a hi-vis? Long gone are the days where Apprenticeships were only available in industries such as construction, electrical, plumbing and engineering.

Yes, Apprenticeships are common in these hands-on industries because they fit well with the on-the-job training, however, they are becoming more common in other sectors as well. There are now nearly 600 Apprenticeships across almost every industry and at different levels.

Today you can choose to do an apprenticeship in almost anything, including business, digital marketing, catering, furniture manufacturing and retail. There are also some pretty unique Apprenticeships out there too, such as an Equine Dentistry, Diamond Setting and even Crime Scene Photography!

This is one of those outdated Apprenticeship myths parents had heard that often meant that Apprenticeships were overlooked in favour of other avenues of further education. Not anymore!

Myth #3 – Apprentices just sweep up and make the tea…

If you think that apprentices are just there to do all the menial tasks that no one else wants to do, then you’re wrong.

The Apprenticeship requires the apprentice to cover a range of tasks. This means that they have to do practical and relevant work otherwise they will simply not develop the skills they need to achieve their qualification and be competent in their job role.

Businesses take on apprentices to train them in a specific role. They are a way of bringing fresh talent into the business and train them in the way they want them to work. Therefore, it’s in the employer’s best interests to give apprentices tasks to ensure they develop the skills they need rather than work that has little value to the business. They’ll work alongside qualified members of staff who are experienced professionals, on projects that have a real impact on the business, learn the tricks of the trade and become a valued member of the team.

We are not saying they will not be part of the ‘bru’ rota or help out with less important tasks – that’s just part of being new in a job and all contributes to training and development – but it certainly won’t be all they do!

Myth #4 – Apprenticeships don’t lead to full time jobs…

Apprenticeships are basically a placement for 2 years with no job at the end, right? Wrong! The reality is more than 90% of apprentices stay in employment when they finish their Apprenticeship.

One of the main reasons that employers take on an apprentice is to build their future workforce. They have just spent valuable time training and developing a young person to fit their business needs so it wouldn’t make sense to simply let the young person go once their Apprenticeship is complete.

Many apprentices progress onto the next level of Apprenticeship and even move into other roles or departments in the business…some even support and mentor future apprentices!

Myth #5 – Apprentices are stuck in the same career for life…

Many are concerned that once an apprentice starts an Apprenticeship in a certain industry then they’re stuck in that job for life. The truth is that an Apprenticeship can open doors to many different opportunities.

Really, starting an Apprenticeship in a certain industry is not much different to studying a certain field at college or university. For example, if you spend years studying to gain a Degree in dentistry then you have chosen your career path just as much as you have by choosing a specific Apprenticeship.

The fact is that whatever a young person chooses to study, whether an Apprenticeship or any other route, the soft skills gained can be applied to almost any career they may wish to get into. Skills such as time management, teamwork, problem solving, and the use of various software/machinery will apply to many different jobs. Not to mention that apprentices often progress within companies onto new roles and onto higher level Apprenticeships which will expand their career path opportunities.

Myth #6 – You aren’t paid a decent wage as an apprentice…

Wage is always a big factor when starting a job…and an Apprenticeship is no different. Many feel that apprentices are just viewed as cheap labour for businesses which is understandably a concern for parents.

The truth is that yes, employers can pay apprentices less than other employees. There is a National Minimum Wage for apprentices – £4.81 per hour (from April 2022) – which is just over half of the National Living Wage. Many feel that this is not fair but actually it’s quite modest. This would equate to almost £170 for a 35hr week and over £8,750 per year.

You have to keep in mind that an apprentice is there as a trainee. When they first start out in a career, they will know very little, if anything, about work and the industry. Another thing is, whilst they are studying an Apprenticeship, they have to do 20% off the job training which may be a day a week out of the work environment which they still get paid for.

Compare the wage they receive to what they would get if they chose to study at college and university. Rather than earning money studying through an Apprenticeship, they won’t be paid for attending College, and will rack up £000’s worth of debt if they progress to study a Degree. Yes, an Apprenticeship is a job, but it is still further education just like A Levels etc.

So yes, £4.81 isn’t a fortune, but quite often companies pay more than the minimum wage to try and attract the best applicants. And of course, this will likely increase rapidly based on their performance and when they have completed their Apprenticeship.

So there you have it…

6 common Apprenticeship myths parents have – busted! Want to have a look at the Apprenticeships we offer? Have a look here – Apprenticeships. Or, if your son or daughter is ready to apply for an Apprenticeship then get started here – Apply Now