The Benefitsof Apprenticeships
Catherine Lawson
In Ayrshire, we’re fortunate to be able to offer young people a range of pathways from school into further education and towards the career of their choice. On their doorstep they have access to the University of the West of Scotland, Ayrshire College, and a significant number of employers keen to take on apprentices who want to earn while they work and learn. Each option provides its own valuable opportunity for progression, suited to individual goals, learning styles and life circumstances, and increasingly universities, colleges and employers are working in partnership to expand and promote flexible learning in the community. As the number of apprenticeships across the country reaches an all-time high, however, it’s worth taking a look at the unique contribution they make to Scotland’s workforce and communities.
The benefits of apprenticeships have long been understood by employers who need skilled boots on the ground, and by employees who want to earn while they learn. It’s estimated* that there are now over 39,000 apprenticeships in training across Scotland – the highest number ever. From both the employer’s and the employee’s perspectives, the apprenticeship training system is clearly still working. Alongside full-time education routes, apprenticeships (whether through colleges or universities), are an increasingly popular choice for young people, giving them the chance to earn an income while developing practical skills, specialist knowledge, and workplace experience.
For many who are leaving school, the chance to move to a different environment is a key factor when deciding next steps. What works so well for young people who want a skilled job without returning to full-time education, is the division of time in apprenticeship programmes: on average 20% is spent in their place of learning, with the remainder being spent in the workplace, applying newly acquired skills in a real-world context. In many ways, it’s the optimal model of learning.
In addition to their vocational training, apprenticeships also give young people the chance to develop skills that are essential in any career. They develop their understanding of how to work as part of a team, finding and holding their place in it. They learn how to collaborate, respecting the views, opinions and experiences of others. They build confidence in communicating at all levels, formally and informally, whether in meetings, conversations or emails. They also experience the realities of working life, learning to navigate discomforts, challenges and disappointments so that by the time their training is over, they’re better equipped to handle them. And they learn about workplace etiquette – being punctual, reliable, well presented, considerate of others, and all the other behaviours in between. These ‘softer’ skills are invaluable, and apprenticeships provide a particularly direct way to develop them alongside on-the-job learning.
Beyond the benefits to individuals themselves, apprenticeships also play a vital role in building sustainable local economies: they are the means by which we develop and retain the skilled workforce needed to meet specific local demands. Apprentices are often the ones to bring fresh perspectives and a new set of skills to businesses, learning updated ways of working and emerging practices at college or university, and in turn upskilling those on the shop floor; at its most effective, the skill transfer between apprentices and the rest of the workforce in any business works both ways. By prioritising relevant, real world, on-the-job skills, apprenticeships consequently help individuals, employers and communities stay ahead and prosper.
For those leaving school and going straight into an apprenticeship rather than full-time further education, the advantages are numerous. The real-world skills, workplace experience, and technical know-how acquired during their apprenticeship, place them on a strong footing for whatever comes next. And because they’re earning as they go, apprentices also begin to build financial independence, and the confidence that goes with it, earlier in their careers. Apprenticeships might have started in the Middle Ages when young people worked under master craftsmen to ensure skills and crafts were passed through the generations, but the value they offer to both individuals and communities today, ensures their ongoing relevance in the modern world.
