We wanted to get to the heart of the experience of apprentices to make the system work even better.
Pulse, sponsored by NIE Networks, captures the experience of almost 200 apprentices from across 30 different apprenticeships in NI. It is an encouraging read with apprentices overwhelmingly expressing confidence in their future career prospects.
Some key positive takeaways included:
94% expressed confidence in their career prospects (let’s not underestimate the importance of this! – it straddles health, purpose, wellbeing, financial independence and confidence in the future.)
For the majority, their overall experiences have exceeded expectations, with praise for the integration of academic knowledge with practical learning, professional development opportunities, and financial independence.
Vast majority reported a significant rise in salary during their apprenticeship - nearly 88% of participants seeing salary increases of 10% or more.
According to respondents, apprentices in Northern Ireland with more than 3 years’ experience earn an average £28,526 - which is ahead of the national average.
It concurs with what I’m hearing from apprentices. Over the last number of weeks, I’ve been talking to several apprentices as part of a podcast series. It’s been a joy hearing about the brilliant work they’re doing – their enthusiasm is infectious. They’re buzzing about work and life in general and are excited about what the future holds.
They advocate for the blend of work and education because it’s helping them thrive professionally and academically, giving them financial independence and providing a springboard for their career.
Other apprentices I’m speaking with are getting on the property ladder before they’ve even graduated, enjoying great holidays and all the perks that come with being young and financially independent!
However, there is a ‘but’.
Let’s not stop at the positive… we can make this system better.
The survey also highlighted how difficult it can be to find an apprenticeship. “Companies have different dates for applications”, said one respondent. Another said, “Trying to find an apprenticeship has been really difficult”. “Finding an employer was the hardest part,” said another.
While there’s much to commend, this survey is a reminder that we need to make the system easier for everyone.
While the survey shows the incredible potential of apprenticeships it also highlights areas where the system can improve to better serve young people and employers. Too many students struggle to find opportunities due to a lack of awareness, fragmented application processes, and limited availability in certain industries.
On the employer side, NI faces several significant skills challenges. A growing skills gap is evident, with 35% of all vacancies classified as skill-shortage vacancies, indicating a misalignment between the economy's needs and the workforce's skills.
Despite 32% of employers expressing interest in apprenticeships, only 8% currently employ apprentices, highlighting a substantial gap in employer engagement. This low participation is exacerbated by the system's complexity, which presents a disjointed and confusing landscape for employers, career explorers, parents, and schools.
These interconnected issues underscore the need for a more streamlined, accessible, and responsive apprenticeship system that can effectively bridge the skills gap and increase employer participation.
The reason I started Workplus was to simplify the apprenticeship journey by creating a centralised platform that connects talent with opportunities, streamlines applications, and provides better guidance and support.
In our latest Workplus campaign, we received the highest number of applications since starting Workplus. While it’s great to have so much interest, I was all too aware that most applicants wouldn’t find an apprenticeship as supply outstrips demand, with 1,300 applicants for 100 apprenticeships.
The appetite for apprenticeships is growing, but still less than 10% of employers are engaged in apprenticeships. If we can increase this number, we can not only address the skills gaps for employers but give more opportunities for people to earn and learn and enjoy all the benefits an apprenticeship brings.
There’s a significant reward if we can get this right – and it’s not only an economic one. Ultimately, growing apprenticeships has a much wider and deeper societal impact.
