Apprentices are a great way for employers to source new talent, while embracing equality and diversity will open up new opportunities to grow as a business.
Apprenticeships are designed to meet the needs of industry and help businesses grow. Because they learn through experience, apprentices develop and refine their new skills to suit the business they are working in and the customers they serve.
As well as hiring new people, employers can use apprenticeships to upskill existing staff. So not only do employers get engaged, motivated and more productive employees, the business has staff it needs to grow.
There are more than 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeship opportunities across Scotland each year, with over 80 different types available in hundreds of jobs.
From financial services and healthcare to construction and IT, each apprenticeship is developed by industry to suit their needs.
This means that apprentices can build valuable work experience from day-one and gain an accredited qualification which is recognised by industry.
Not only do apprentices bring fresh ideas to the business, learning on the job means they get to know the business inside out and can apply their learning right away.
Employers are enthusiastic about apprentices – 96% say those who have completed a Modern Apprenticeship are more able to do their job, with 89% saying they would recommend an apprentice within their industry.*
New Foundation Apprenticeships mean young people can also now start a Modern Apprenticeship at school and employers can prepare future employees for the world of work.
With a Foundation Apprenticeship pupils in S5 can complete elements of a Modern Apprenticeship alongside their other studies, such as Highers or Advanced Highers.
Foundation Apprenticeships take two years to complete with pupils spending part of the week out of school, getting hands-on experience at college and with a local employer in their chosen industry.
With a Foundation Apprenticeship under their belt they leave school with an industry-recognised qualification which is set at SCQF level 6 (the same level as a Higher).
As well as gaining their qualification, Foundation Apprentices develop the soft skills – like time management, teamwork and communication – that come from quality work experience. This means they’re better prepared for the workplace when they leave school.
Foundation Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for employers to spot talented, motivated pupils who could become future employees.
New Graduate Level Apprenticeships provide work based learning opportunities up to Master’s degree level for employees.
Created in partnership with industry and the further and higher education sector, these apprenticeships combine academic knowledge with skills development to enable participants to become more effective and productive in the workplace.
As they are in continuing employment, apprentices can directly apply their academic learning to real-life situations, all the while earning a salary. For employers, they are a great way to develop existing staff who can work towards a degree without having to take time off.
Graduate Level Apprentices are able to access the same learning opportunities as those who go down the traditional route of direct entry into college or university and can progress to the highest level of professional qualifications with a range of entry and exit points from a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8)) to a Master’s degree (SCQF level 11).
