Responsible Business
Letting the talent in
Calum Fuller reports on how we can open up accountancy through apprenticeships
Illustrations Michał Bednarski
Apprenticeships have become a powerful tool for both businesses’ talent pipelines and, increasingly, social mobility.
For employers, the benefits are both clear and numerous. From increased employee satisfaction to improved retention rates, apprenticeship programmes are a proven way to help individuals develop their careers while producing results for business.
Indeed, according to a 2021 report from The St Martin’s Group, which promotes sustainability, quality and growth in the apprenticeship market, 98% of organisations that currently employ apprentices report experiencing additional benefits to their business. It also found that approximately one in three companies reported that apprenticeships improve diversity within their business, particularly in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, age profile and sexuality.
For those considering becoming apprentices themselves, doing so offers an opportunity to access professions such as accounting, without going to university and instead earning while they learn and gaining real-world experience.
How apprenticeships can improve social mobility
Apprenticeships have long been considered an effective means of ensuring social mobility, primarily because they provide both a way to increase skills and a link between education and employment, especially for those individuals who have not been to university.
“Survey after survey has shown over the years that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds struggle to access higher education and continue to do so,” explains AAT head of responsible business and policy Adam Williamson. “There are a number of factors involved, including parental participation, access to external resources, tutoring, networking and so on. Apprenticeships are an excellent way of overcoming those hurdles and getting people through vocational qualifications.
“We know as well that more diverse workplaces result in better outcomes, simply because the wider the set of experiences and voices around any table, the more likely you are to get creative, positive ideas and decisions.”
“More diverse workplaces result in better outcomes.”
IN NUMBERS
Apprenticeship facts and figures
2022/23, published in Oct 2023
Starts (Aug–Apr)
down by 4.6% from 2021/22
Participation (Aug–Apr)
up by 1.6% from 2021/22
Achievements (Aug–Apr)
up by 20.1% from 2021/22
How apprenticeships benefit employers
of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
have seen a significant increase in employee retention
“Firms have to revised and reduced the entry criteria for their for their programmes to make them more accessible.”
Living up to the promise
As a route open to people of all ages, backgrounds and career levels, apprenticeships occupy a precious space in the UK’s economy. However, from a diversity perspective, the harsh reality is that, at present, they are producing similar winners and losers as alternative pathways.
According to the Social Mobility Commission, apprentices from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to successfully achieve the qualification than non-disadvantaged learners within three years. In a 2020 study, the commission found the non-completion gap is larger at intermediate level (3-4 percentage points) than at advanced level (1-2 percentage points), and disappears for higher-level apprenticeships. This, according to charity Education and Employers, suggests “disadvantaged apprentices at lower levels may need more support or face specific barriers that are not addressed either in policy or by employers”.
However, it added “apprenticeships aid social mobility if a disadvantaged learner can persevere to complete their qualification”.
Opportunity for businesses
According to Laura-Jane Rawlings, chief executive of Youth Employment UK, apprenticeships have no issue appealing to young people. Instead, she says, it’s an issue of supply.
“Young people are certainly recognising what apprenticeships can do, but what they often can’t do is find an opportunity where they live. If I were to search for opportunities where I live in Corby, I’d find only one or two apprenticeships available."
Businesses need to bridge the gap, explains Anthony Clarke, business development manager at AAT, who has already seen some take major steps.
“A big thing that firms have done is to revise and reduce the entry criteria for their for their apprenticeship programmes to make them more accessible. In a number of cases, we’ve seen firms aren’t just looking at academic merit as the leading reason to recruit somebody. Instead, they look at whether candidates are aligned with company values and how they can harness that talent to then support them in gaining professional qualifications and progressing as an accountant.”
NAW 2024
Your support is needed
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 runs from 5-11 February and is your chance to help champion apprenticeships and use them to help improve social mobility.
The week-long event brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to highlight the impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
If you and your organisation are interested in supporting National Apprenticeship Week, there are a variety of ways you can do so. Among them are volunteering at an apprenticeship event. Many are held during National Apprenticeship Week, and will often involve you meeting young people and answering their questions.
Other ways include following the #ApprenticeshipWeek on social media, which you can use to share your story, raise awareness and encourage others to get involved and speaking with your MP to let them know you support apprenticeships and would like to see more opportunities for young people in your local area.
If you would like to find out more about how you can support National Apprenticeship Week, or are interested in establishing an apprenticeship programme where you work, click here or email employers@aat.org.uk to find out more.
What you can do
• Advertise your apprenticeship scheme widely. Schools, colleges, business forums, community assets such as libraries and social media are all good options
• Proactively make links with schools, colleges and businesses and business groups in your area to increase your reach
• If your business benefits from the apprenticeship levy, commit to spending it on your scheme
