Is a gas apprenticeship worthwhile

Is a gas apprenticeship worthwhile?

In the past, a university education was regarded as the best stepping stone to a fulfilling career. While many young people still opted for on-the-job training, such a route was rarely given the same credibility.

The tide is changing, however, and the Government is very keen to publicise the value apprenticeships bring for employers, career-driven young people and the economy.

A new campaign has launched to heal the divide between university and vocational education by actively promoting apprenticeships.

The Get In Go Far media campaign features real apprentices sharing their experiences and thoughts on becoming an apprentice. It will run across TV, print media, digital channels and on posters.

It comes as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced the introduction of 40 new employer-designed apprenticeships. The apprenticeships span a range of sectors from engineering and hospitality to the legal profession.

More than 200 employers and training professionals have played a role in designing the 40 new apprenticeship standards. The aim is to provide thousands of people with the practical skills needed to build careers and help firms and the economy grow.

In the past four years, more than 1.8m individuals have signed up to an apprenticeship in England. The figure is increasing every year which is great news for young people who are keen to take their first steps on a vocational career.

Equally positive is the fact that research shows 86% of those who carried out an apprenticeship remained in the job afterwards with the same company. Meanwhile, feedback from employers showed 96% who had taken on an apprentice felt their company had benefitted from the experience.

The gas industry in particular is one sector which has always benefitted from offering apprenticeships. Apprenticeships can boost productivity by helping to enhance the skills within an organisation. This is achieved at the same time as reducing costs.

It also helps to retain the workforce as research shows apprentices stay with a company longer if they have been homegrown.

Local training providers like us can play a supportive role by delivering training within a formal environment and delivering assessments.

There are also financial incentives for some types of businesses which take on apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are becoming more and more popular and more than 40% of employers say they are more likely to offer an apprenticeship now than they were two years ago.

If you would like more information on apprenticeships, click here .