National Apprenticeship Week is coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and traineeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. According to the National Apprenticeship Service, there has never been a better time to employ an apprentice or a trainee. They maintain that hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
This is proving to be the case for Cellbond. We now have four apprentices across the business, with plans for another three positions in the pipeline. Two of our full-time staff have completed an apprenticeship within the past three years and are now in a position where they are mentoring youngsters on work experience, as well as playing a vital role within the Cellbond team. As a privately-owned business we place great importance on progression and staff retention, recognising that everyone has the potential, when supported, to achieve great things.
The National Apprenticeship Service provides a dedicated service to employers, offering free expert advice and support to those looking to recruit apprentices or take on a trainee for the first time, or expand their existing programmes.
The overarching theme for the National Apprenticeship Week 2016 is ‘Rise to the top!’, focusing on progression and opportunity as a way to showcase the rich and diverse apprenticeship offer, from traineeships right through to higher and degree apprenticeships.
Benefits to the economy:
– 2.4 million apprenticeships were started in England during the last Parliament;
– 19,400 traineeships were started between 2014 to 2015.
– The government invested £1,559,771 in apprenticeships during the 2014/15 academic year;
– Apprenticeship participation now stands at a record level: 871,800 funded apprentices in 2014/15;
– Apprenticeships are available in 1500 job roles, covering more than 170 industries;
– More than 1300 employers are involved in designing the new apprenticeships standards;
– Up to 28,000 quality apprenticeship vacancies are available online at any one time at Find an apprenticeship
Benefits to employers:
– Employers say that qualified apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications;
– There were more than 250,000 employer workplaces with an apprentice in 2014/15;
– 89% of employers reported that apprenticeships helped their business improve the quality of their product or service.
– According to research published in June 2015, apprenticeships at Level 2 and Level 3 deliver £26 and £28 of economic benefits respectively for each pound of government investment;
– 82% of employers say they are satisfied with the apprenticeship programme and 70% report that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service;
– Apprenticeships boost productivity to businesses by on average £214 per week;
– Apprenticeships enable businesses to grow their skills base resulting in increased profits, lower prices and better products;
– Traineeships offer small businesses an opportunity to help build a pool of high quality future recruits for their sector.
Benefits to the learner:
– After finishing, the majority of apprentices (90%) stay in employment (including 2% self-employed), with seven in ten (71%) staying with the same employer;
– A quarter of former apprentices had been promoted (23%) within 12 months of finishing.
– 89% of apprentices are satisfied with their apprenticeship; 85% of apprentices said their ability to do the job had improved, and 83% of apprentices said their career prospects had improved
– On average, individuals with an advanced apprenticeship earn between £77,000 and £117,000 more over their lifetime than similar individuals with Level 2 qualifications;
– Those completing a higher apprenticeship could see increased earnings of an estimated £150,000 over their lifetime;
– Nearly a fifth (19%) of advanced apprentices progress to higher education over time following their apprenticeship, either at a college or university;
– The number of traineeships available have increased by 83% since 2013/14.
