5 minute read
International Trade
IT’S ALL ABOUT
APPRENTICESHIPS
By Peter Sandman
In recent years, apprenticeships have risen considerably, and are now more popular than ever before. In the most recent academic year (2021/22), higher apprenticeship starts alone increased by 9.4% to 88,200 in the UK, compared to 80,700 in the same period last year.
Today, the available apprenticeship routes are vast, with so many different and diverse roles young people and those returning to education can pursue, whether that be engineering, health and social care, IT and business skills or even media and photography.
Whilst historically many have not realised the true value of gaining real world skills through an apprenticeship, more and more people are now realising their potential and are choosing them over the traditional academic route – whether they’re just starting out in their careers, are looking to upskill or want a change of direction.
An apprenticeship is a real job, combining on the job training with technical training to prepare the learner for a career in their chosen profession. They are available for anyone aged 16 and over and are available at a range of levels, from Level 2 all the way up to degree-level apprenticeships.
Taking the apprenticeship route allows an individual to study for a work-based qualification that can significantly improve their future earning power and career enjoyment. But it also provides many benefits for the employer. Apprenticeships are now being acknowledged by more and more employers as a vital investment for the future of their business – either by recruiting them as new staff or by developing existing employees to further their careers.
Apprenticeships have become a vital part of the economy and employment market. Research has shown that employing apprentices improves the productivity of businesses, with the Centre for Economics and Business Research reporting that an apprentice can boost a business’s productivity by up to £10,000 per year, with figures for some sectors being even higher.
One of the most significant benefits of apprenticeships, for employers and staff alike, is that they help organisations keep their employees motivated and committed for the long-term, by helping them develop their skills over several years. Apprentices will be working in the knowledge that at the end of this period they will have a qualification that is valuable to them individually, to their employer and the industry as a whole.
For young apprentices, it’s a chance to earn while they learn and give them a head start in the jobs market. And for employers, it’s a chance to source and attract enthusiastic, energetic people with a fresh outlook on the world of work.
This year, The City of Liverpool College has seen a significant rise in apprenticeship starters Particularly in our higher-level apprenticeships. Our Professional Construction Level 3 courses are up 30% from last year, and 160% on figures from the academic year 2020/21. Similarly, our Level 4 offerings have risen over 41% this September compared to last year and are up over 118% from 2020/21. The talent is there for the taking.
As the biggest college in the Liverpool City Region and the leading FE college apprenticeships provider, The City of Liverpool College aims to help people from all backgrounds and of all ages, gain experience and succeed in their chosen profession. We work closely with some of the biggest and best employers in the region to ensure students get the most out of their experience by teaching them the advanced skills required to work in their chosen industry. Offering over 30 apprenticeship courses across a variety of industries, apprentices learn in our industry standard workshops and purpose-built facilities, such as our Digital Academy, Bosch certified Gas workshops and Building Services workshops, as well as our Hair & Beauty and Hospitality & Catering academies. Our apprentices are supported by our expert college tutors and experienced skills coaches throughout their programme, offering their knowledge and expertise to grow talent.
Apprenticeships are an invaluable tool for upskilling in areas that matter most to employers. They’re a highly effective route to recruit and train future talent, address skills shortages and develop careers across core parts of your business.
The world of work is evolving faster than ever, so it’s never been more important to secure the best new talent to fill key skills gaps to build a resilient workforce. With role-specific development programmes and tailored on-the-job training to maximise impact, learners effectively apply their skills from day one of their apprenticeship. The employer upskills where resource is needed most, and learners apply newly learnt skills straight away – a win-win situation for everyone.
Not only do apprenticeships provide employers with a skilled workforce, they also boost social mobility, reaching people from diverse backgrounds to open up opportunities for everyone, and diversifying the world of work. Ultimately, apprenticeships can help to inject new perspectives into a work culture to create a rounded, balanced and more successful workforce.
Smaller firms have long been champions of apprenticeships; however, we’re now seeing more leading names across various sectors turn to apprenticeships to source and recruit new talent. This includes councils, such as Liverpool City Council and other local authorities across the City Region, construction firms such as Plus Dane Housing, as well as leading TV production company, Lime Pictures.
At The City of Liverpool College, we’re passionate about working with the City Region and industry to ensure we can provide the skills that are needed in line with regional and business priorities. The evidence is plentiful that apprenticeships play a significant role in building a sustainable workforce and moving local people into well paid and highly skilled jobs. Businesses and local authorities are also actively expanding their sustainability impact by focusing on the wider green agenda.
It’s our job to ensure we’re providing the skills our region needs to meet these changing priorities, such as adapting our curriculum in construction and retrofitting, as well as gas and engineering. This adaptability means we’re also able to provide bespoke training for employers to meet their needs. We know that every business has its own priorities, and often a ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t work, so we work closely with our industry partners to develop our training programmes around them – helping them to develop their team and ultimately, grow their business.
Apprenticeships and training of the very highest calibre play a vital role, not just for businesses based in Liverpool or Merseyside, but also for the region’s economy as a whole, to help people and businesses thrive.
By investing in their people and their qualifications and skills, businesses are equipping themselves to build highperforming teams to drive their business forward and boost long-term employee retention. It really makes business sense.
The City of Liverpool College is engaged with over 1,000 local employers to deliver a highly- trained, highly skilled workforce. If you want to find out more about apprentices could help make your business more productive, contact the team at apprenticeships@liv-coll.ac.uk.
