Nine out of 10 (90 per cent) HR professionals at the Association of Graduate Recruiters ‘Welcome to 2016: Revolution in the student recruitment market’ event, stated that apprentices were set to become a crucial part of the future workforce, driven by the increased skills they offer.
Increased diversity and greater support from the Government were also key factors for HR professionals looking to boost apprenticeship numbers in the coming years.
The introduction of the apprenticeship levy was also an important topic for event attendees, though more than half (52 per cent) thought further guidance was needed to understand it fully.
More than two fifths of attendees (44 per cent) had limited to no understanding of the impact the levy will have on their business.
Greater control for businesses
New Trailblazer apprenticeships, designed by employers for employers to suit their company needs and fill their skills gaps, also proved popular with HR professionals, with around six out of seven (85 per cent) stating that they think it will lead to more firms implementing apprenticeships schemes in the coming years.
There was a lack of understanding amongst attendees regarding the level of apprenticeships that is included in the trailblazer scheme, however, with more than half (52 per cent) admitting that they were unaware that the government will now fund degrees when part of Degree Apprenticeship.
Stephen Isherwood, chief executive, at the Association of Graduate Recruiters, said: “The fact that government is encouraging apprenticeships more than ever is only part of the picture. More and more businesses are seeing the benefits that apprenticeships bring, and understanding the steps they need to take to continue attracting the best young talent to join their businesses.
“The introduction of the apprenticeship levy combined with the trailblazer standards, which allows firms to design programmes to suit their specific needs, will likely lead to even more companies implementing schemes over the coming years, and these figures show that today’s graduate recruiters are at the heart of driving that change.”
Speaking at the event about the impact of the apprenticeship levy and the benefits it can bring to businesses was Emma O’Dell, head of strategic partnerships at BPP.
She said: “The way that businesses attract and develop young talent is changing rapidly, and it’s vital that firms fully understand the recent changes to how apprenticeships are developed to implement a successful training programme.
“While today’s research highlights that some graduate recruiters don’t fully understand the benefits that apprenticeships can bring to their companies, through the levy and in other areas, they do recognise that apprenticeships are a key part of the future workforce.
“We can work with businesses to help them develop an apprenticeship scheme that is exactly suited to their requirements, providing young people with the skills needed to thrive within the company and sector of their choice.”