Government skills target

The UK government has set a new goal: by 2040, two-thirds of young people should achieve higher-level skills by age 25, including through apprenticeships. This reflects a shift from the traditional university routes, emphasising the value of vocational education. To support this, an additional £800 million is being invested in further education and apprenticeships for 16- to 19-year-olds by 2026–27.

Foundation apprenticeships gain traction

Foundation apprenticeships are available for 16- to 21-year-olds (or up to 24 for care leavers and those with Education, Health, and Care Plans). These programmes aim to provide opportunities in sectors like digital, health, and engineering, offering a structured pathway into skilled professions.

Shorter and more flexible programme durations

In a move to increase accessibility, the minimum duration for apprenticeships has been reduced to eight months. This change allows apprentices to achieve occupational competence more quickly. Especially so, if they have significant prior learning or if the training aligns closely with industry needs.

Level 7 apprenticeships: funding changes ahead

Government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships (equivalent to a master’s) is limited. Most learners over 22 will no longer be eligible. That’s except for care leavers under 25, new starters under 21, and those with Education, Health, and Care Plans. This shift aims to redirect resources toward younger individuals entering the workforce.

Increased employer investment in apprenticeships

Employers are stepping up their commitment: Royal Mail has doubled its annual apprenticeship to support small and medium-sized businesses. This is part of a broader trend where large companies redistribute unused levy funds to help smaller firms train apprentices in certain areas.

Rising achievement rates

Data indicates apprenticeship achievement rates are on the rise. For example, Level 6 apprenticeships have surpassed the government’s 67% achievement rate target, reaching 69.1% in 2023–24. This upward trend also suggests apprenticeships are becoming more effective and respected.

Digital and AI skills

As technology continues to advance, there is also a growing demand for apprenticeships in digital and AI fields. Programmes focusing on areas like data analysis, cybersecurity, and software development are becoming increasingly popular, reflecting the broader shift towards a tech-driven economy.

The post The latest apprenticeship changes and opportunities appeared first on Checklists.

The kickstart scheme is a part of apprenticeships, T Levels, and traineeships which are all part of the government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ skills and employment programmes. 

The Kickstart Scheme was introduced as part of the Chancellor’s Jobs Plan in July 2020. The scheme seeks to generate thousands of six-month work internships for young people. 

The government would fund 100 per cent of employment costs for 25 hours each week under the scheme. This amount includes the employee’s income at the minimum wage applicable to their age, as well as National Insurance and pension contributions.

Thousands of employers in the commercial, public, and non-profit sectors, including you, have already applied for financing, which will cover:

• For a total of six months, the connected employer will pay 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage, depending on the participant’s age)

• Contributions to the National Insurance Fund

• Minimum payments to a pension plan under automatic enrolment a £1,500 subsidy per job to cover startup costs and provide employability assistance.

Who is eligible?

The Kickstart Scheme is open to people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are currently claiming Universal Credit. Also, those who are in danger of long-term unemployment and who meet the eligibility criteria.

How does it work?

Following the conclusion of the grant agreement, the DWP begins the process of hiring additional workers. Employers will be required to provide job descriptions, which will be shared with the DWP and used by work coaches at JobCentre plus. The work coaches will identify applicants for the job and then choose prospects for interviews. 

Employers will have the option of conducting interviews with all applicants identified during the initial identification phase. The company will select the chosen candidate following the interview procedure. 

The government will cover 100 percent of the minimum wage for these workers, up to a maximum of 25 hours a week. They’ll also cover your national insurance premiums and any pension contributions you make. If this is the case, your employer may be able to compensate you.

What are the possible advantages for your company? 

You will have someone working for you for six months if you hire a young person through the Kickstart Scheme. They will bring with them fresh ideas and enthusiasm that will help your business thrive. 

Or there’s the possibility of hiring someone who is jobless who wants to start a new career in your sector, perhaps altering their life, and you will be contributing to the post-pandemic economic recovery. 

Is it right for your business?

If your business is interested in assisting young people at risk of long-term unemployment, offering six-month Kickstart Scheme job placements to help them gain valuable work experience, or determining whether someone is a good fit for a permanent job or apprenticeship with you, a Kickstart Scheme placement may be a good option.

Benefits

You may assist young people in gaining valuable experience and increasing their chances of finding work. another benefit is it will assist a generation of young people affected by Covid-19’s economic repercussions, and assist your teams in gaining supervisory experience.  Following their job placement, you can determine whether a young person is a good fit for an apprenticeship or a career in your organisation.

If you want to learn more about the kickstart scheme have a look here.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post How can the government kickstart scheme for employers help you? appeared first on Checklists.

Degree apprenticeships are a way to get debt-free qualifications, whilst gaining experience in the profession.

If you want to continue your education but don’t want to go down the traditional route of university, a degree-level apprenticeship is a good head start, without the high cost of a regular degree.

Degree apprenticeships provide school and college graduates with the option of going to getting a job right away. Instead of going to university, degree apprenticeships were created to combine the best of both worlds for students.

What is a degree apprenticeship?

They are designed for school or college leavers who want to pursue higher education in a different way. Apprentices will work full-time with a paid salary for an industry leader while also studying part-time at a university. These programmes take three to six years. Degree apprenticeships are equivalent to bachelor’s and master’s degrees at levels 6 and 7.

A typical university student will pay a minimum of £9,000 per year in tuition fees on top of maintenance loans. A degree apprentice, on the other hand, does not have to pay tuition and is compensated while pursuing their degree.

Where to study in London?

City University

Legal

London South Bank University

Building surveying
Quantity surveying

Pearson College

Chartered manager
Business management

Queen Mary

Digital and technology solutions

Middlesex University

Policing
Nursing and healthcare science
Digital technology
Business management and sales
Teaching

University of East London

Digital and technology solutions
Civil engineering site management
Construction site management
Construction design management

University of Greenwich

IT

University of Roehampton

Digital and technology solutions

University of West London

Digital and technology solutions

Am I eligible to be an apprentice? 

To be eligible for apprenticeships, you must be at least 16-years-old. You must also fulfill the course’s academic entrance criteria. If you’re not already working, you’ll need to find a full-time job in a relevant field with an employer.

You will have to be living in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) or have lived in the UK or EEA for the past three consecutive years. Also, you cannot already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment.

For admission, at least five GCSEs in grades A to C (9 to 4 on the new grading system) are required. Otherwise, those interested must have Level 3 credentials, such as A levels, NVQ/SVQ Level 3, or a BTEC National. Some employers have special criteria for employment. Many businesses will anticipate or demand that candidates hold credentials in topics relevant to the apprenticeship.

Where to apply?

Gov.uk

Rate my apprenticeship

UCAS

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Degree apprenticeships in London appeared first on Checklists.

You’ll spend 80 per cent of your time on-the-job training and 20 per cent with a college or training provider.

1. National Apprenticeship Service

The National Apprenticeship Service is a good place to start for those living in England. 

It’s the official arm for apprenticeships in the Department of Education and is packed with free advice for both apprentices and employers.

It also lists hundreds of apprenticeships currently available, and once you’ve decided which is the right one for you, you can apply online.

See gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

2. Leadership Through Sport and Disability

Leadership Through Sport and Disability (LTSB) is an award-winning social mobility charity which places bright, ambitious young people that face disadvantage into apprenticeships with blue-chip companies within the digital, tech and finance sectors.

It works with those at risk of under-employment to find careers equal to their ambition and ability.

The charity runs a network of apprenticeship programs in cities across the UK, where they offer ‘bootcamp’ training to help boost employability by developing professional skills and providing young people with practical advice – such as how to format a CV and secure work experience.

LTSB also partners with Premier League Football clubs – who invite the apprentices in to develop their leadership skills via sport.
Both employers and apprentices can attest to the schemes with 93 per cent of employers intending to participate in the program again. 

Find out more at ltsb.charity

3. Amazing Apprenticeships

Amazing Apprenticeships is an independent organisation founded to tackle misconceptions about apprenticeships and promote their benefits.

It’s packed full of really helpful information, tips, free online workshops and links for prospective apprentices, parents and educators.

See amazingapprenticeships.com

4. Careermap

Careermap is the UK’s leading website for apprenticeship opportunities and career guidance. You can set up apprenticeship alerts based on industry and/or location, create your own profile and apply for apprenticeships all in one place.

For learners who are unsure of their next steps, Careermap produces Careermag For School Leavers and Careermag for Parents to break down all the different career and qualifications out there so learners and their parents can help make a well-informed decision on the next steps.

See careermap.co.uk

5. Apprenticeship Academy

Lots of information from one of the industry leaders in the field.

Homeserve offers apprenticeships in gas and electrical engineering from a state-of-the-art facility in Nottingham.   

It’s a not-for-profit organisation that also supports employers through the process.

The website has real-life testimonials from those who’ve trained with them and plenty of ways to help with funding.

See apprenticeshipacademy.org

6. Institute For Apprenticeships

The Institute for Apprenticeships website features stories from those who have been through the process.

There are those who have studied and trained in leather craft at top fashion brand Mulberry, marine pilot apprentices and a research scientist at healthcare giant GSK.

See instituteforapprenticeships.org

7. All About Apprenticeships

All About Apprenticeships is a dedicated podcast which features regular interviews with industry leaders, further education experts and celebrities like Steph McGovern, who started out as an apprentice.

There’s also a growing online community for apprenticeships, with lots of great conversations happening between current apprentices, and those who have been there and done it.

Try Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn to make connections and join the chat.

Listen here

8. School advisors

Check out your local Further Education college or specialist training provider.

For example, Milton Keynes College has a specialist recruitment team to support people through the application and interview process as well as offering advice at open events, school visits and so on to give you guidance on the best routes for you.

9. UCAS

The UCAS Apprenticeship Hub can guide you through why and how to get started on a degree apprenticeship.

You will end up with a degree or the educational equivalent, but have a lot of practical experience in your chosen field too.

See ucas.com/apprenticeships

10. Apprenticeship Guide

Another website worth a look is the Apprenticeship Guide.

It covers any questions you may have and gives lots of tips, tricks and advice for getting on to a scheme that is the perfect fit for you.

Success stories include those who have trained to work in finance, public health, manufacturing, arts and logisitics, to name a few.

See apprenticeshipguide.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The top 10 tools for apprenticeship information appeared first on Checklists.

Apprenticeships, which are becoming more popular as a study choice, are a wonderful opportunity to get hands-on experience while studying, gaining a qualification, and earning money. They’re offered in a variety of fields, including accounting, business, and law, as well as construction, engineering, and transportation.

Apprenticeships have been designed to give 16- to 24-year-olds work experience, job-specific skills, and the qualifications that they need to start a career. Apprentices will be able to learn on the job while still earning a living. Of course, as an apprentice you are learning, so your wages will be minimal so we’ve found the industries that pay you the most. 

Accouraging to UK Parliament in the first two quarters of the 2020/21 academic year, August 2020 to January 2021, there were 161,900 apprenticeship starts. This was a drop of 18% from the same period in 2019/20, with around 36,700 fewer starts.

Apprenticeships are offered at the following levels:

Advanced – Level 3, equivalent to A-level.
Higher – Levels 4 and 5, equivalent to a foundation degree or above.
Degree – Level 6, equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.

What are the top paid apprentice jobs?

Banking – £16,825 average

Many of the UK’s biggest financial institutions offer banking apprenticeships. The UK’s main high street banks are constantly looking for apprentices to work in their operational teams and an interest in people and the ability to learn about financial services and markets.

Banks that offer banking apprenticeships are Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, and Santander.

IT – £14,646 average

IT apprenticeships are available from a variety of UK organisations, ranging from creative small and medium-sized firms to major global corporations. 

An IT apprenticeship can focus on a particular area, such as artificial intelligence, computer programming, including coding, computer science, information and communications technology, networking, software development, and software engineering.

Engineering – £14,204 average

Engineer apprentices often work as operators, doing tasks certain tasks like installing telecommunications systems, constructing automobile engines, fitting and testing machinery, destroying structures, and inspecting commercial or RAF aircraft.

Engineering apprenticeship programmes exist in the following areas: aerospace, automotive, broadcast, civil engineering, communication, construction, electrical, energy, hydraulics, marine, mechanical, mining, process engineering, systems engineering, telecommunications, and transport.

Accountancy – £13,319 average

Accountancy is a skilled job where numbers are important. You may be involved in a number of financial tasks, depending on your apprenticeship level and employment function. Accounting entails the collection and analysis of financial data for a variety of business purposes. 

There is a different type of accounting apprenticeships to choose from including AAT apprenticeships, ACCA apprenticeships, chartered accountant apprenticeship, management accounting apprenticeships, actuarial apprenticeships.

Health – £11,599 average

The higher apprenticeship in health provides on-the-job education and training for client-facing employees and registered healthcare professionals in inpatient care.

There are many different possibilities available, and many of them do not even require a background in healthcare to begin. NHS Apprenticeships are a great way to get started in the healthcare field. Over the last five years, the NHS has achieved over 70,000 apprenticeship starts.

Business – £10,884 average

Apprenticeships in business help businesses run more efficiently and economically. This type of apprenticeship can cover a wide range of responsibilities such as business administration, company development, consulting, management, and leadership are among the options.

Businesses who offer apprentices are: Aldi, Aon, Arup, Atos, Barclays, BBC, Boots, BPP, Chartered Management Institute, EY, GSK, IBM, KPMG, Microsoft, Nestle, NHS, PwC and Unilever.

Where can you find apprentice jobs?

gov.co.uk
indeed.com
reed.co.uk
totaljobs.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Best paid apprenticeship jobs appeared first on Checklists.