Poor career advice blamed for drop in apprenticeship interest

A new report has revealed a worrying fall in the number of young people considering apprenticeships. Lack of awareness and poor career advice are being blamed for the shift in attitude.

The Annual Barometer from In-Comm Training surveyed over 350 people aged 16 to 21. It found a 9% drop in those thinking about vocational learning. More than half of those questioned said they had no idea what schemes were available in their local area.

The findings were released during National Apprenticeship Week. Organisers are now calling on schools, colleges, and the government to do more to educate parents and pupils.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, said: ““You could say four fifths considering an apprenticeship is healthy, I get that. However, been feeling a drop in enthusiasm on the ground for a while now and this report underlines the upturn in learners choosing vocational learning isn’t growing at the pace we want.”

He warned that poor advice can lead to students picking the wrong courses. “Poor career advice that sees learners start the wrong full-time course can later block funding and access to apprenticeships when they want to reassess their options. This is a major concern,” he added.

Schools and teachers remain the most common source of information for students. Sarah Duella, Senior Careers Lead at Shire Oak Academy, said the report is a “wake-up call” and that apprenticeships must be promoted as a first choice.

Money remains a big factor for those who do choose the vocational route. The survey found 62% of people are driven by the ability to earn while they learn.

In-Comm Training currently works with 50 schools but has pledged to double that number over the next year to help bridge the skills gap.

The full report is available to view at the In-Comm Training website.