Learn while you earn with an apprenticeship

Brighton based Skern Group highlight the benefits of apprenticeships for both learner and employer as the method of entry to the workforce grows in popularity.

The group, which is part of Inspired Learning, revealed 130,200 apprentices began training with them in the UK between in 2021, a rise from 125,800 in 2019. 

As of Q3 of the 2021/22 academic year, there have been 2,821,500 apprenticeship starts since May 2015 and since May 2010 the total is 5,199,000 according to Department of Education statistics. The popularity of apprenticeships rise as employers increasingly see the changes to their workforce.

Starts supported by Apprenticeship Service Account (ASA) levy funds totalled 288,800 in August to April of last year, was an increase of 14.1% from 2020/21 Q3. Government support for apprenticeship levy is funded by a 0.5% tax on the wage bills of all companies with annual payrolls exceeding £3m. 

Following the emotional ride on the A level results rollercoaster many will be deciding on the next stage of their fledgling career ladder, Skern ask them to consider beginning an apprenticeship.

Inspired Learning offer a multi-disciplinary approach to entering your chosen career and combine training with life and outdoor skills.

Traditionally viewed as a more vocational option this view has been modernised with the addition of new apprenticeships. Staples plumbing and joinery have now been joined by law, social care, digital marketing and management apprenticeship options.

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Skern Training and Skills, part of Skern Group, offer apprenticeship courses with qualifications in hospitality, operations and outdoor activities, including Operations or Departmental Manager Level 5 and the newly created Outdoor Learning Specialist Level 5. 

Level 5 is the equivalent of a foundation degree while Level 6 is degree level.

Richard Thomas, Executive Director Skern, told TBM: “We use outdoor activities in our bespoke apprenticeship training programmes to, for example, improve teamwork skills, develop confidence in leadership, to help identify barriers and how to overcome them.

"We consistently observe significant behavioural changes through energetic and determined participation that can be meaningfully applied in the workplace.

“As the world experiences the ‘Great Resignation’, employers are having to work twice as hard to retain staff members. By shaping staff culture and ethos from the outset, apprenticeships can help with the formation of a more engaged team. Through adding outdoor learning to apprenticeship training, a rich mix of outcomes can deliver an energetic, confident and skilled workforce equipped for the future.”  

With the rising cost of living, costs affect life choices for more people. Therefore the appeal of earning while learning, receiving an income while developing skills holds vast appeal.

As people reset after the turbulence pandemic, options to harness the talent in all individuals should be explored by the business community, argues the Skern representative.

"It will help both the economy and businesses build back by nurturing dedicated teams," concluded Mr. Thomas.

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