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Lack of quality guidance risks derailing apprenticeships

A new study finds nearly a third of 16-18 year olds have received no careers advice relating to apprenticeships, putting the success of the Government’s flagship programme under threat.

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is calling on the Government to dramatically improve the consistency of careers advice that young people are receiving. The call comes following a survey found that 31% of 16-18 year olds have received no careers advice relating to apprenticeships.

Commenting on the findings, Helen Brand OBE, ACCA chief executive said:

“Young people making a vital decision about their future should be informed about the full range of options open to them.

“The Government needs to ensure careers advisers, schools, employers and Local Enterprise Partnerships work together to embed consistent careers advice in national and regional strategies for enterprise, skills and growth.”

According to the report, apprenticeships are still viewed as the poor relation to degrees, an image problem that must be changed according to Helen Brand:

“Too many young people believe that by choosing the apprenticeship route, they will earn less and have fewer options to change careers compared to a degree.

“Flexibility is hugely important to the next generation. Young people want the freedom to build portfolio careers as they progress through their working lives, so it is crucial that they know this is possible if they choose the apprenticeship route.

“The range of transferable skills gained through an apprenticeship, such as leadership and project management, and the demand from employers for these skills, must be better communicated to young people.”

There were some clear good signs for the Government to build from with 71% of young people believing that apprenticeships were a route in a successful career. However apprenticeships do still suffer from an image problem with 61% believing employers prefer graduates and 65% saying their parents would prefer them to go to university.

Helen Brand continued:

“We have a situation where young people, and their parents, seem to be saying that apprenticeships are a positive choice, just perhaps not for them. This needs to change.

“The Government’s Career Enterprise Company is well placed to change perceptions around apprenticeships. By working with employers and professional bodies, it can provide clear information about routes from higher apprenticeships into professional careers.

“There are many great examples of major employers offering school leaver routes to a professional career, not least among them accountancy firms. Apprenticeships offer so much potential, let’s make sure our young people are alive to the possibilities.”

The new report can be downloaded from: http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/qualifications/accountancy-career/ukschoolleaver/apprenticeships/apprenticeships-report.html

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by ACCA .