Understanding Apprenticeships – Looking Beyond The Stereotypes

A recent Mumsnet survey found that 60% of parents with children aged 13-18 said they were concerned that their child would be stuck ‘making the tea’ if they were to do an apprenticeship.

However, how many of you know that you can now do an apprenticeship in everything from digital marketing to district nursing, fraud investigation to food development? 

We’re here to help you sort the facts from the fiction, so you’re equipped to give you child the best possible advice when they need it.

Here’s three common misconceptions and the truth behind each:

1.     Apprenticeships aren’t anything more than manual labour 

Parents seem to think that apprenticeships are only for hands-on practical work. In fact, over a third of parents surveyed associated apprenticeships with purely manual labour jobs. Well, that’s just not the case anymore – not only are there four types of apprenticeships (intermediate, advanced, higher and degree apprentices), but in 2017 alone there were 26,262 different apprenticeships started, in roles varying from a business administration to biology!

2.     Progression is not possible 

Although 85% of apprentices said that an apprenticeship had boosted their career prospects, many parents are still concerned that their child would not be able to climb that career ladder if they started with an apprenticeship.

Did you know that Jamie Oliver, John Freida and Karen Millen all started their careers as apprentices? Apprenticeships shouldn’t be viewed as a back-up to university, they offer a great opportunity for people to earn while they learn.

3.     All work, no degree

The same Mumsnet survey revealed 45% of the parents had no idea that you can take a degree apprenticeship – allowing you to work and earn a degree at the same time. From law and finance, to engineering and manufacturing, degree apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity for people to earn while the learn. 

For more information about apprenticeships, visit: https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships and follow @apprenticeships on Twitter