HERTFORDSHIRE, U.K. - Aug. 13, 2020 - In August, the government brought in Apprenticeship funding changes which are designed to make offering Apprenticeships more attractive to employers. This is a vitally important way of creating a highly skilled workforce ready to take business and the economy forward in a post-pandemic world.
Motor industry Apprenticeships
The motor industry offers huge opportunities for young people who are looking for careers in technical and non-technical disciplines. The sector is the fifth largest industry in the country, employing around 500,000 people with technical and mechanical skills, as well as a wide range of sales and business skills. Roles in the industry can be highly paid and offer great opportunities for people with ambitious career plans.
The motor industry sector is going through a very exciting period of change. As part of its green agenda, the government's target is to have 100% hybrid or electric vehicles on the road by 2030. This will create opportunities for people who love new technologies. In addition, the way people are buying cars is changing significantly, with many purchasing online, which is opening up opportunities for employees with different skill sets and experience.
Skillnet is a national Apprenticeship Training Provider working principally with Ford Motor Company and DAF Trucks, alongside running Apprenticeship programmes for a range of smaller automotive businesses. Chairman Lee Acton cautions high-achieving students not to automatically think of a university degree as their only option. "A degree is not right for everyone. And with the current situation, students could well be looking at three years of locked-down lectures, which may not suit their learning style. The financial implications of university versus Apprenticeship are huge. With an Apprenticeship, you earn while you learn; at university, you're studying not working. After three years, Skillnet Apprentices are ready to go straight into a skilled job, whereas graduates are looking for their first job and often have massive debts to deal with. We've calculated the difference between university students' average debt and the average total wages Apprentices have earnt at the time they qualify is a massive £120,000."
Why employ Apprentices?
Acton believes the main advantages of employing Apprentices are: "You're taking on raw material that you can shape into someone right for your business. In addition to developing technical skills, Apprenticeships develop the whole person, giving them the behavioural skills they'll need to enable them to take responsibility and work on their own."
As a result of the pandemic, the government is offering financial incentives of up to £2,000 for employers to create new Apprenticeships between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021. Training is paid for by the government or the Apprenticeship Levy, which means even small organisations do have the resources to take on Apprentices.
Acton believes that Apprenticeships are vital to the future of the economy. "If no one's training Apprentices, in five years' time there won't be anyone to take the place of workers retiring from the sector. This will result in a scarcity of talent, and wages will rise. When we have been in this situation in previous years, we have had to bring in talent from Europe, which will be more difficult in the future. It is also the right thing to do. Think of your sons and daughters, nephews and nieces - if you don't give them the opportunity, who will?"
A thousand vacancies
Skillnet currently has 500 vacancies available in 22 separate disciplines across the UK and expects to recruit around 1,000 Apprentices by the end of the year, with another 1,000 in 2021.
Young people interested in technical and business Apprenticeships in the motor industry should check out www.skillnet.org.uk/applicants/apprenticeships.
Employers wishing to discuss the possibility of providing Apprenticeships can contact info@skillnet.org.uk.
Contact
Skillnet Limited, Lee Acton, Chairman
