We live in an ever changing world; it’s become the norm for students to have good grades, to have participated in extracurricular activities, taken a gap year and undertaken work experience.

But these things are not enough. Now is the time to have marketable skills, and that doesn’t mean sitting in a class all day to get them. With an apprenticeship you can earn while you’re learning, gain recognised qualifications as you work and gain valuable job specific experience.

Gary Charlton, UK operations director, Pilkington Building Products Europe

“Apprenticeships provide individuals with real, hands on work experience,a discipline to organising priorities and achieving deadlines. An apprenticeship provides an opportunity for learners to demonstrate their commitment to work and their careers.” 

For employers, apprenticeships and vocational skills programs are one of the most cost-effective ways to train the workforce.

Work-based training programmes in the process and manufacturing sector allow people to earn and learn at the same time by combining on and off the job training and they ensure that learners are trained in the skills that are relevant to their work.

In the current economic climate where people are looking to take on new roles or expand their skill set in order to expand their abilities, this is a great way to retrain or upskill employees.

Designed by employers for employers, vocational learning is tailored to meet the needs of the sector to help improve the productivity and profitability of a business. It's also a great way to fill skills gaps in existing workforces, and ensure that future workforce generations are equipped with the right skills and qualifications to meet current and future business needs.

88 per cent of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce and a further 80 per cent of those employers agree apprentices make their workplace more productive.

Bob O’Shea, chairman Proskills Print Qualifications, Reform Group

“The opportunity for employers to capture and train that unique talent you get from a successful apprenticeship has never been greater nor the Challenges it brings more difficult. Ever more reason to make it happen and reap the Benefits.”

Work experience is an advantage for all. Apprenticeships and vocational learning is not just about training the young. ‘Older’ workers can also benefit - training offers an unrivalled framework to undertake new or changed roles, and provides a means of continual professional development.

Chris Boynton, apprentice & technical training manager at Wirral Partnership Homes Building Services, whose glass apprentice Paul Harvey took top honour at the 2009 Proskills Apprenticeship Awards as Advanced Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by the Glass Qualifications Authority (GQA) has experienced apprenticeships first hand and believes they are important for the individual and for the company.

Chris Boynton, apprentice & technical training manager
Wirral Partnership Homes Building Services

“It is often thought that young people may not be the easiest people in the world to work with – but this premise could also equally apply to a whole host of other client groups. The fact is that apprentices are, on the whole, young and inexperienced, and therefore by the very nature of these factors, they can still be a bit raw and in need of some moulding and a guiding hand. The flip side of this however is that they are also hugely enthusiastic, and creative, and energetic, and talented, and expressive, and can bring a fresh and dynamic approach and new ideas to business.

"If you take the time and the trouble to look beyond what might initially appear to be a set of obstacles, you might just find that the potential rewards to be gained from investing in apprentices can be immense.”

Apprenticeships – individual & employer Benefits

Chris Boynton goes onto say...

"The rewards that an individual might derive from undertaking an apprenticeship are qualifications and experience, a sense of self-belief and increased confidence in their own abilities and also a chance of obtaining suitable employment and enhancing career prospects.

"Similarly, an employer would also receive all of the above Benefits, plus a whole host more from investing in apprenticeship training.

"Employers stand to benefit because they would receive qualified employees who are highly skilled and competent at their job roles and who are trained to the most recent industry standards as well as potentially benefitting from Government funding.”

It is clear that employers are recognising the impact apprenticeships can have on their business. Seen by many as the lifeblood of a workforce, apprentices can bring a fresh approach, new and unique talent and ultimately a fantastic skill set. 

As an apprentice, taking the plunge with vocational learning program means you’re making yourself more marketable in a tough job arena. You’ll be trained in specific industry skills that can allow you to develop your talent and really make a significant and positive impact to the business.