Are new apprentices a game changer?

As university tuition fees soar more students than ever are looking to apprenticeships as a way of learning and earning on the job.

What and how you can study is fundamentally shifting. Apprenticeships have moved far beyond the traditional building and beauty sector. You can now study for a degree and train on the job at the same time in everything from aerospace engineering to film making.

As the focus of apprenticeships has shifted Airbus, one of Bristol’s biggest apprentice employers, has embraced the change.

The company has trained 500 external apprentices and a further 300 internal apprenticeships over the past five years.

Nigel Grainger is studying for a degree while working as an apprentice for Airbus in Filton

The number of students opting for higher degrees is soaring says Airbus apprenticeship director Mark Stewart: “The prospect of a salary and no tuition fees, combined with hands-on work experience and qualifications as the ultimate payoff is extremely attractive to many.”

Nigel Grainger is studying for a degree while working as an apprentice for Airbus in Filton: “I wanted to learn on the job and I get to apply the theory from university straight away.

“I am currently on the third year of my apprenticeship on placement with the in-service repair team whilst writing my dissertation.”

As the popularity of apprentices increases so does the variety of industries offering them.

James Dean did his apprenticeship at the BottleYard Studios in Hengrove run by Fiona Francombe

22-year-old James Dean from Whitchurch did his apprenticeship at the BottleYard Studios in Hengrove and is now a runner on Poldark.

“I didn’t know you could get apprentices in the film and television industry,” he said.

“I went to college and learnt everything from lighting to sound but it was at the BottleYard that I learnt the most. I could spend time at the different productions learning about what they were doing.”

Catering students at City of Bristol College

“Change has been a long time coming but people now appreciate the value of apprentices,” says Claire Thorogood, from City of Bristol College.

“For too long people thought you did apprenticeships if you couldn’t do anything else but that perception is disappearing,” she adds.

Even the more traditional apprenticeship industries are demanding higher standards from students.

“Students who think hairdressing apprenticeships require lower academic qualifications are mistaken,” says Mark Brown, who runs Barber Brown in the city centre.

He has been training hairdresser apprentices for more than 10 years through the Bristol Hair Academy. He wants to see more rigorous apprenticeships introduced.

He urges students not to think grades don’t matter if they go down the apprenticeship path:  “Hairdressing is not just about hair,” he says.

“You need marketing skills, sales, and communication skills… You’ll need strong maths, English and science to cope and understand the application of the work.”

While the proposed government changes for apprentices and employers seem positive, access to opportunities is not equal across Bristol.

Karin Smyth, the MP for Bristol South, says opportunities for apprentices are not equal across the city

In South Bristol there are particular post-16 education problems according to MP Karin Smyth: “Providers don’t run courses here, children don’t understand the choices they have and parents and grandparents don’t understand the new apprenticeship options – it’s a real concern.”

She also wants to encourage young women in her constituency to take up apprenticeships in construction, IT and engineering – careers that lead to higher wages.

Over the past five years in Bristol South, 320 men had begun construction skills schemes, but no women had. It was a similar picture with engineering: 80 men and no women.

“This means female apprentices here in south Bristol are likely to end up in jobs with lower wages and less secure employment than their male counterparts.

“There are opportunities and we have a skills gap but we have to let people in South Bristol know how to address them,” she adds.

The 10th National Apprenticeship Week runs from March 6 to March 10 and the South Bristol Jobs and Apprenticeship Fair is on March 10.

Looking to secure an apprenticeship? 

Jill Jones, from South Gloucestershire College, offers advice for students considering apprenticeships.

“We encourage learners to think about their interests and skills. What are you good at? Are you more interested in a hands-on apprenticeship or do you want something more desk-based? Keep an open mind and explore apprenticeships that you might not have considered. They could offer a different route to your dream job.

“The process from start to finish is the same for all applicants. First you will come into college for BKSA test in English, maths and ICT, and have an informal interview.

The apprenticeship team at South Gloucestershire College

“At an employer’s interview you need to anticipate what they want and to be able to match your responses to their requirements. Thoroughly research the organisation and keep up to date with the industry. Read their website and make sure that you study the job description.

“Think through the value of your experiences in relation to the job and the employer. What evidence can you give, in answer to interview questions, to demonstrate you have the required skills?

‘”Looking and feeling the part’ will help you and will convey to the interviewer the fact that you are business-like, helpful or enthusiastic.”