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Are young people interested in careers in UK infrastructure?

Seemingly, the trend of young people choosing to avoid a career in the trades is ending. A recent survey² of 100,000 youngsters from The Careers & Enterprise Company showed some interesting results:

• Construction and trades were listed in the top six career choices.

• 97% of construction companies reported that working with schools and colleges was helping develop new talent pipelines.

• 91% said it was boosting job and apprenticeship recruitment.

• 87% said it was helping close skills gaps.

Why apprenticeships are a smart investment

1. Closing the skills gap with tailored training

Hiring apprentices helps you shape employees to meet your company’s specific needs. Apprentices learn the exact processes, tools, and standards required for your business, making them a long-term asset.

According to the National Apprenticeship Service³, 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop relevant skills for their organisation and fill the skills gap.

2. A strong return on investment

The long-term benefits of hiring apprentices are broad – and affect everyone in the business. Aside from financial incentives, The National Apprenticeship Service reported⁴ boosts to staff morale, increased productivity, and therefore ‘higher profits overall’.

• The Centre for Economics and Business Research also calculated that on average an apprentice generated an annual return of £1,670⁵.

• Most apprenticeships generate a net overall benefit⁶ to their employer in a few years.

Beyond financial ROI, apprenticeships also reduce staff turnover. Training apprentices from the ground up increases loyalty and commitment, leading to higher retention rates compared to external hires.

Data suggests that⁷ 65% of apprentices stay with the same employer after completing their programme.

3. Attracting a digital-first generation

To remain competitive, companies must adapt to changing workforce expectations. Today’s recruits value technology, efficiency, and sustainability.

Often, the baseline for achieving all of this – and more – is by eliminating old-fashioned workflows and embracing solutions with field management software, like Re-flow.

With smart scheduling, real-time job tracking, and automated workflows, the software creates a modern, tech-enabled environment that appeals to younger workers who have grown up in a digital world. Software like Re-flow is designed to be flexible to adapt to shifting regulations and opportunities, helping businesses to stay on the cutting edge.

Other statistics on apprenticeships

The most recent National Apprenticeship Service report⁸ shared other positive insights:

• 96% of employers experienced at least one benefit from taking on apprentices, and most could count at least 8.

• 74% said that apprentices improved their service quality.

• 78% said that apprentices improved productivity.

• 67% said that employing apprentices improved their image in the sector.

• 65% of apprentices stayed working for the company that trained them at the end of their course.

Hear from Highways Magazine Apprentice of the Year 2024

Highways Magazine’s Apprentice of the Year 2024, Poppy Kennedy, highlighted her company’s social engagement and Net Zero initiatives as rewarding and appealing parts⁹ of her experience. Her role, which is still ongoing and will last for two-and-a-half years, is as Marlborough Highways’¹⁰ Social Value & Sustainability Apprentice.

Addressing school engagement initiatives for her company, Poppy said: ‘I get to see the change it makes in young people, especially young women, who are sadly underrepresented in our industry.’

And of environmental initiatives, she said: ‘As someone who is passionate about the environment, I am impressed by Marlborough’s sustainability commitments and am proud of the contribution I am making as part of our company’s journey to Net Zero. To me it’s not just a job, but it’s about making a better future for the communities we serve.’

Her story aligns well with a wider analysis of Gen Z workers. ‘Younger employees place a higher premium on…purpose-driven work, and corporate social responsibility,’ reported NTG Training¹¹, apprenticeship facilitator, back in September last year.

Government initiatives and funding

Visit the government website¹² for full detail on the government’s role with funding apprenticeships. Here are some of the most recent updates, released in April 2024:

• Where the employer does not pay the apprenticeship levy the government will fund all of the apprenticeship training costs, up to the funding band maximum, for apprentices who are aged between 16 and 21 years old when they start their apprenticeship training.

• The proportion of funds that levy-paying employers can transfer to other businesses will increase to 50%.

Other useful resources:

• Info on individual apprenticeship standards¹³ and funding bands

• A resource on apprenticeship funding rules¹⁴, which explains expectations on the employer and how funding works in practice.

Laying the foundations of an attractive business with field management software

Field management software streamlines operations with smart resource scheduling, real-time job tracking, and automated workflows, creating a future-proofed, efficient workplace. Digital forms, integrated asset tracking, and software-driven visibility of sites makes businesses more appealing to young, digitally savvy recruits who expect seamless technology in their roles.

This tech-driven approach not only makes businesses more attractive, but also leads to streamlined and more robust management of worksites, reducing costs, boosting compliance, and improving productivity.

Discover how digital transformation can help your business today. Call us on 01392 574002.

Sources

¹https://www.careersandenterpri...

²https://www.careersandenterpri...

³https://assets.publishing.serv...

⁴https://assets.publishing.serv...

⁵https://assets.publishing.serv...

⁶https://assets.publishing.serv...

⁷https://assets.publishing.serv...

⁸https://assets.publishing.serv...

⁹https://marlboroughhighways.co...

¹⁰https://marlboroughhighways.co...

¹¹https://ntgtraining.co.uk/

¹²https://www.gov.uk/government/...

¹³https://www.instituteforappren...

¹⁴https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ap...