National Apprenticeship Service Partnership
Partnership for excellence in skills
Godfrey Owen, CEO of Brathay Trust, is convinced that there is an alternative route to success, for young people, other than University.
Whilst students enjoyed record breaking GCSE and A Level results, last year, the increase in university tuition fees, in 2012, alongside high graduate unemployment figures, has led many young people across the country to question an academic route to success.
But what’s the alternative for those young people who don’t achieve the necessary grades to gain entry into Higher Education, or for those who simply choose not to go to University?
During my final years at school I vividly remember some of my classmates championing the idea of ‘securing a trade’. A number of them considered a vocational route, rather than academic, when it came to furthering their education.
Two particular pupils, who both excelled in maths and physics, spring to mind. Whilst one chose to accept an offer from the University of Cambridge the other chose an apprenticeship with BT as his route into employment. It would be interesting to meet them both now!
In recent years, as manufacturing in the UK has been in relative decline, vocational training has been overshadowed by the notion that the university route, to a successful career, is the only option.
However, this trend could have profound consequences for the UK’s economy. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has identified that good initial vocational education and training is a key component in economic competitiveness. Furthermore, they state that the skills needed for a productive labour market workforce are delivered through vocational programmes and apprenticeships. And in today’s challenging economic climate it is vital that the UK remains competitive.
Unfortunately, some countries are more successful than the UK in encouraging talented young people to develop mid-level trade, technical and professional skills whilst some of our employers are simply failing to invest in their workforce.
As a result the UK is languishing in 21st place in the world for Intermediate skills. But this is where it gets interesting for those young people seeking to establish a career without a first degree.
In order to succeed in a globalised, post-industrial economy, the UK must improve this world ranking. It will be crucial to do so if we are to ride out the world financial crisis and that is why the government is continuing to push its funded ‘Apprenticeships’ to businesses. Not only that they are also working with the Department of Education to establish apprenticeships alongside other 14-19 options.
If this isn’t reason enough for young people to contemplate a vocational apprenticeship further causes for consideration are that 57% of employers say that a high proportion of their apprentices move into management, within their company, whilst apprentices can also earn £100,000 more over their working life than other employees.
Brathay has worked with the apprentices of many major brands such as British Airways, The Carlton Group and Cisco, to develop their communication, interpersonal, problem solving and team working skills. As a result I have witnessed, at first hand, the many benefits of choosing a vocational route to success.
By working with partner organisations Brathay has combined the development of technical skills with a highly effective personal development programme which allows the apprentices, that we work with, to become energetic, enthusiastic, valuable and productive members of their workforce.
By choosing the vocational route to success young people will not only be empowered to realise their potential, they will also contribute to the UKs economic competitiveness and therefore, the country’s prosperity.
Visit the National Apprenticeship Service website by clicking here for more information