It’s time to start appreciating the apprenticeship again.

As Bob Hoskins use to say on those adverts, ‘it’s good to talk’. It’s even better when you’re chatting to people who share your passions, enabling far-reaching discussions and an exchange of views on a subject that is close to your heart. And so it goes that last week, I was lucky enough to have two of these great conversations, firstly with Cal Bailey, Sustainability Director at NG Bailey – the UK's leading independent engineering, IT and facilities services business. Our discussion led us to talk about apprenticeships and our mutual belief in the paucity of good career advice in schools. Regular readers of my soapbox moments will remember my recent involvement with the charity, Inspiring the Future, and my own personal beliefs about what schools do (or don't do) for the next generation as they prepare for a career.

Cal's passion runs far deeper than my own; he is an active supporter of inspiring the next generation and ensuring effective careers advice takes place at grass roots level, by starting in our schools. Cal explained: "Training and development within any organisation is vital for the success and development of a business. Apprentices form a large part of this for us – we’re in the built environment sector – and apprenticeships are good for our business, the sector and help to reduce the skills shortage we have.”

Why are apprentices so vital, I asked?

?"Investing in the next generation can really make a business. It engenders loyalty as well as developing a dedicated talent pool. With really effective apprenticeship schemes you’ll often see apprentices develop through the ranks into senior managers – these people are the shining stars as they will know your business across all areas and levels. “

Cal added, “For me, this is what companies need to focus on. It's what the country should be doing - developing valuable training schemes that deliver sustainable careers.”  

I couldn't agree more. By comparison, the UK's admirable vision of university education for all has ultimately reduced the value of a degree. And now tuition fees just add a mountain of debt to graduates as they enter the workplace. Back to Cal, and to our discussion, which had come back to schools.

"I’ve worked with schools to help them and students to better understand how STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) have relevance to careers in industry." Cal continued, “Specifically for the built environment sector, we want and need more girls to consider STEM subjects at higher or further education.”

Cal expressed his frustration at the lack of awareness and understanding that apprenticeships can offer, especially in the trade industries that can often lead to sustainable careers, this attitude needs to change. This was echoed in the second conversation I had with John Spanswick, Chairman of FTSquared, a fast growing, London-based project management consultancy within the commercial property sector. John was previously CEO and Chairman of Bovis Lend Lease, so knows a fair amount about the construction market. “I agree with the career sustainability comment totally, and these careers are globally sustainable, not just restricted to the UK.” John too is a fan of apprenticeships: “They are an excellent route into a career within construction, and the shortage of skilled labour is a significant issue. It is leading to substantial wage inflation, particularly in London, and the sector as whole needs to address this.”

John also expressed a frustration around attitudes to apprenticeships, particularly the ‘trades’. “Maybe it’s inherent in the UK psyche, but there is a perceived lack of employment status for the ‘trades’ as compared to Europe – whether electricians, joiners, plumbers – but their value to the economy is immeasurable. And their earning power is not to be sniffed at. We need to help make that shift in perception.”

Cal Bailey agreed with many issues mentioned by John. “There is a ‘dilemma of quality’. Are firms getting good enough people for their apprentices, or being left with those who have little other choice? However, I would not be surprised if there is a change on the horizon – with more and more students becoming more savvy about their choices and choosing alternative routes to costly university tuition fees.”

Personally I think we need more business leaders like Cal and John – people who have a burning passion about future generations and their employability and sustainability across their careers. We need more businesses to engage with schools to educate them (the schools and the students) about the career choices available in the world today, and tomorrow. We can’t predict the future, but we can lay foundations to be prepared for it.

What about your business? Do you recruit apprentices, whether in construction or technology or engineering? Do you have links with schools or colleges? As ever, it would be great to hear your thoughts and comments.

Mark

p.s. As this goes to ‘press’, draft legislation has been published by the government on the introduction of the apprenticeship levy – finally, some structural support? Or just another tax?