Two recent studies conducted by ICM Research demonstrate businesses’ positive attitudes towards hiring apprentices and young people. In particular, a large number of employers indicated they wanted to do more to help young people in their area to find work. One study focused on apprentices and the second examined the hiring of young people and school leavers.
Key data
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59% of employers have hired young people or school leavers into entry-level positions in the last five years. |
20% of SMEs and 37% of large businesses plan to take on one or more apprentices in the next 12 months. |
42% of employers are more likely to offer an apprenticeship than they were two years ago. |
41% of employers say that apprentices stay in the business longer than any other recruits. |
49% would consider creating a new role for a young person who impressed them during work experience in the company. |
Additional facts
- Companies planning to take on apprentices in the future are doing so because they see apprentices as a core part of their business growth strategy.
- The most popular reason for hiring apprentices was to widen the talent pool. Companies also added that it was easier to hire apprentices and that more roles were available on this level.
- Many employers said they would like to do more to help young people in their area to find work.
- Providing opportunities for young people to develop interview skills and get work experience will help more youngsters to secure employment.
The research into apprentices was conducted by ICM on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service. More than 600 people who have a decision making role in recruitment at their company were interviewed for the study. You can read more about the research here.
Research was also conducted about the hiring of young people and the benefits of Traineeships, and involved interviews with 200 people. You can read more here.
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