Apprenticeships: transforming lives and driving economic growth

Education and skills development is a clear priority for local, regional and national government. Here at London South East Colleges, we know that high-quality apprenticeship programmes are central to transforming lives and driving economic growth.

With National Apprenticeship Week just around the corner from 10-16 February 2025, it feels timely to reflect on why apprenticeships are so critical for businesses, individuals, and our communities across south London and beyond.

Why Apprenticeships matter

In today’s fast-changing world, businesses are under immense pressure to stay competitive, while ensuring their workforce has the skills to succeed. Apprenticeships offer an ideal solution. They combine hands-on work experience with tailored academic learning, equipping people with the practical skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their chosen careers. And as we see every day at London South East Colleges, these programmes bring enormous benefits for both apprentices and the employers who invest in them.

What makes Apprenticeships special?

Apprenticeships are much more than a training programme—they are a partnership. By working closely with employers across London and the south east, we tailor our apprenticeship delivery to meet the unique needs of businesses. From digital marketing to engineering, our apprenticeships ensure that students gain relevant, job-specific skills while employers benefit from a motivated and capable workforce.

Here’s what we’ve found to be the key benefits of apprenticeships for businesses:

Tailored training for real impact: We design apprenticeship programmes that align directly with the operational needs of businesses, ensuring apprentices gain skills that have immediate value in the workplace.

Increased productivity: Apprentices bring fresh energy, ideas, and the latest academic insights to the workplace, often improving efficiency and driving innovation.

Improved retention and loyalty: Employers who invest in their people through apprenticeships foster loyalty, which translates into reduced recruitment costs and a more engaged workforce.

Cost-effective growth: With government funding and financial incentives like the National Insurance exemption for apprentices under 25, businesses can develop their workforce without breaking the bank.

Making a social impact: Supporting apprenticeships isn’t just good for business; it’s a way of giving back to the community, reducing youth unemployment, and offering meaningful career opportunities.

Financial Incentives: A Game-Changer for Employers

One of the most tangible benefits of apprenticeships is the National Insurance exemption for employers hiring apprentices under 25. This exemption can result in significant payroll savings, freeing up resources to reinvest in training and development or other business priorities. It’s these kinds of incentives that make apprenticeships such a smart choice for companies of all sizes.

In addition, for employers hiring 16–18-year-old apprentices, there is a £1000 government incentive on offer.

Our role as Leaders in Apprenticeship delivery:

At London South East Colleges, we are committed to apprenticeship delivery by building strong relationships with employers and offering programmes that reflect the needs of the modern workforce. Last year alone, we supported hundreds of businesses to recruit and train apprentices across a wide range of industries. From local SMEs to national employers, our partnerships are helping to close the skills gap and drive economic growth across London and the southeast.

Apprenticeships are not just for young people starting their careers. They are also a great way for employers to develop existing staff and upskill their workforce. To find out more about all the opportunities available, visit: www.lsec.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships

For more information about apprenticeships and the support LSEC can offer you, contact Nina Sian: apprenticeships@lsec.acuk