At Davies, we are in the fortunate position of being able to truly observe the immense value of apprenticeships, both from the employer and learner perspective. Not to mention the profound benefits that these programmes bring to our economy and communities.

After all, apprenticeships provide individuals with a unique opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in their field whilst simultaneously developing valuable skills and knowledge that will help serve them throughout their careers.

However, there are still a number of myths and misconceptions that surround the concept of apprenticeships. So much so that many talented individuals are discouraged from pursuing this incredibly valuable and rewarding career pathway. With this in mind, we have decided to uncover and debunk the top five myths about apprenticeships that simply aren’t true.

Apprenticeships are only for people who want to work in trades

If you ask someone to think of an apprentice, they may immediately think of trades like plumbing or electricians. However, apprenticeships are no longer limited to trade-based roles. These days, apprenticeships are available in a variety of industries and sectors, ranging from finance to engineering and healthcare.

In fact, business and healthcare-related apprentices now make up the majority of apprentices in England, with the total number of businesses offering apprenticeships increasing year on year.

Image Source: Department for Education (Starts Aug to July – England, 2021/22)

While it is true that apprenticeships are still common in manual labour and trade-based roles, those looking for a career in something other than the manual trades industry may still benefit from an apprenticeship and the skills and knowledge it provides.

Apprenticeships are only for young people

Although apprenticeships have traditionally been aimed at the 16-24 age bracket, it is now becoming much more commonplace to find people of all ages taking part in these programmes. As a matter of fact, only 22.2% of 2021/2022 starters were aged 19 or under, with 30.5% being aged 19-24.
As the data shows, apprenticeships are not just for young people, with more and more adults finding that apprenticeships are the perfect way to develop their skills and knowledge for a new career or enhance their current skillset.

Apprentices are used by employers for cheap labour

While it may be true that an apprentice will likely cost less than a fully qualified employee, this does not mean that employers are taking advantage of apprentices or using them for cheap labour.

The truth is that apprentices bring a huge value to any organisation, and employers are often more than willing to invest in the future of their business with an apprentice. Most apprenticeships come with a salary or wage, and many employers also offer additional benefits such as holidays, sick pay, and pension contributions.

On top of this, an apprentice can also bring a fresh perspective to the workforce, allowing employers to identify new opportunities and ideas that they may not have considered before. This can be a huge benefit to businesses in a competitive landscape, and thus employers are often willing to invest in an apprentice for the long term.

Apprenticeships are not a real job

Finally, many people believe that apprenticeships are not ‘real’ jobs and therefore are not worth pursuing. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Apprenticeships provide a great opportunity to learn and develop in an environment that is tailored to the individual. Apprentices are given the chance to gain real-world experience and put their skills into practice, whilst receiving support and guidance from experienced professionals.

This is in stark contrast to traditional university courses, which often lack the practical elements that can be found in an apprenticeship. While both learning routes have their merits, an apprenticeship offers individuals the chance to gain experience and knowledge – two things that are increasingly sought-after in today’s job market.

Is an apprenticeship for you?

Apprenticeships are an extremely valuable way to gain the skills and experience needed for success, and maybe just what you need to take your career to the next level. So, don’t let misconceptions stand in your way.

At Davies, we have a range of apprenticeship programmes that offer individuals a chance to work with some of the most prestigious employers in the industry. So, if you’re looking to develop your skills and gain invaluable experience, get in touch with us to find out how you can become an apprentice today.

Our Professional Education team delivers a range of apprenticeship programmes across insurance & financial services. Get in touch to find out how we help businesses build a more diverse and talented workforce with use from the apprenticeship levy.

Robert Hewer
Financial Services Coach
robert.hewer@davies-group.com