Everyone seems keen to hire apprentices these days — even John Denham, the skills secretary. He is looking for three apprentices to join the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills next month, where their job will be drafting letters and organising visits.
From plumbing to interior design, there are around 180 apprenticeship routes to the workplace. Overall standards have improved markedly. "The real issue has been making sure the quality is right," says David Harbourne, director of policy and research at the education foundation Edge, which promotes practical and vocational learning.
"Some years ago numbers qualifying were much lower than they should have been. But poor providers have been weeded out. There's been investment in further education colleges and professional development of staff."
Standard apprenticeships lead to an NVQ at level 2; advanced apprenticeships to one at level 3. Now there are trials with higher apprenticeships, leading to level 4 and a possible route into higher education. These higher apprenticeship candidates should be at least 18 with A-levels or other level 3 qualifications.
"Advanced apprenticeships are in areas requiring high levels of technical expertise such as telecoms or aviation, and have proved successful," says
Harbourne. "There's an expectation that people on them will go into senior management."
Besides joining a college or work-based learning provider with good links to employers, DIY apprenticeships — where young people make their own approaches to a company — are another route. "We don't how how many are going down this route but it's [not many yet]," says Harbourne.
Apprenticeship take-up is increasing: in 2007 more than 110,000 people completed an apprenticeship, compared with a total of 37,400 in 2002. Earning on the job and avoiding student debt remain compelling attractions. JTL, a major provider of building and engineering apprenticeships, says electricians can expect to earn up to £36,000 in their first year after qualifying.
Elliott Sampart left school with A-levels in biology and chemistry but short of the grades he hoped for. Instead he contacted JTL, passed the aptitude test and landed an apprenticeship in London with T Clarke, a big electrical contractor with offices around the country.
A year after completing four years of college theory and on-site experience, Sampart, 22, is managing a large commercial rewiring project in London. "With bonuses and pension my package is worth around £40,000 a year," he says.
And he can see a clear career path ahead of him: the current managing director, Mark Lawrence, began as an apprentice.
