Thousands of young people across Edinburgh could be missing out on high-flying careers by dismissing apprenticeships – because they believe the training will not set them up for a leadership position.
This is according to new research released by Centrica, owner of Scottish Gas, to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Almost three-quarters of Edinburgh residents (73%) polled in the independent national survey* say they do not view apprenticeships as the best starting point to reaching a senior position in their career. Almost half (45%) believe university is the best start they can get.
Take it to the top
When asked about the most important aspects of a job at the start of a career, almost half of people in Edinburgh say ‘good earning potential’ (45%) and ‘opportunities for progression to a senior role’ (39%). However, more than two-thirds (67%) believe that only a degree would allow them to achieve these things.
Despite high quality apprenticeships on offer from employers, such as Centrica, which provide a structured learning experience with industry qualifications built-in, almost two-thirds of people surveyed in Edinburgh (65%) had not considered an apprenticeship as a training option when they left school. A quarter (25%) said they had not considered the option because it would not have enabled them to get the job of their choice.
Influencing career decisions
And it isn’t just the views of those considering apprenticeships that are affecting uptake; the research found parents’ views of the training to be hugely influential.
More than eight in ten (83%) parents in Edinburgh say they would be proud of their children if they were accepted onto a university course, compared to a one in ten (17%) who would feel the same if their child was accepted onto an apprenticeship scheme.
In fact, 11% of people in Edinburgh said they did not consider an apprenticeship when they left school because it was frowned upon by parents or teachers.
Impact of apprentices
Despite the negative perceptions of apprenticeships, the majority of Edinburgh residents (81%) believe apprentices have a positive impact on a company’s performance. This is supported by Centrica’s own findings from its recent customer service apprenticeship pilot where productivity increased by 6% and the Net Promoter Score, which measures customer satisfaction, increased by twenty points.
Craige Heaney, Head of Learning and Development at Centrica, said: “It’s worrying that future leaders in Edinburgh are limiting their options and not considering an apprenticeship as a route into an exciting and high-flying career.
“We have several examples of people who started their career as a Scottish Gas apprentice and now hold a leadership position.
“Over the past ten years we’ve invested more than £260m in training 6,000 engineers and apprentices, because we recognise the positive impact this has on both our customers and business performance.
“By choosing to pursue a high quality apprenticeship that is developed by leading employers for apprentices of all ages, which also offer flexibility and transferable skills, the opportunities for people in Edinburgh to reach to the top are limitless.”
Challenging the research findings
The misconceptions about apprenticeships revealed by the research are in stark contrast to the experience of 1,200 apprentices who are training at the Scottish Gas Learning Hubs operated by Centrica around the country. When surveyed, more than 95% said their apprenticeship sets them up for a successful future.
In a survey that Centrica carried out among its own apprentices, nine in ten said they felt better equipped for the world of work than their friends who went to college or university.
Internal data from Centrica shows that once qualified, gas engineering apprentices go on to earn £325,853 over a ten-year period. Furthermore, joining one of Centrica’s apprenticeship schemes could open up twelve alternative career paths over the same period, providing diverse opportunities for apprentices to develop and progress in their chosen career.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week ran from 6 – 10 March, with events being staged at Centrica’s Learning Hubs to showcase what apprenticeships bring to businesses, individuals and the economy.
Case Study
Ryeannie Scullion – Customer Service Apprentice, Edinburgh
Before joining British Gas Ryeannie was at school and had volunteered at a school for children with disabilities. She had always through about staying on in education but wasn’t sure what her options were.
Ryeannie said: “If I’m honest I was going to go to university to be a Physiotherapist, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew that university wasn’t really for me.
Even though I had no idea what it was like being an apprentice in a contact centre, it’s been one of the best things I’ve done, as I can earn money whilst studying. I also feel like I have a career.
“I really am a people person and learning about helping customers every day and some of the responses from them are what the job is about, it makes you feel good about yourself knowing you can help others.
“I applied for the apprenticeship because I think it is exciting to be a part of something completely different from what I thought I wanted to do. Now I’ve been here for six months it’s definitely the opportunity for me as I can develop and help customers. I can also make a career in customer service.
“The training was a good mix of learning; we listened to agents taking customer calls and learnt in the classroom as well. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I hope to build a career with British Gas.
“It’s great that companies like British Gas are willing to help young people like me. I would tell anyone to apply for the programme.”
Apprenticeships and training at Centrica:
- Centrica is training around 1,200 apprentices through six Learning Hubs in Leeds, Leicester, Thatcham, Dartford, Hamilton (Scotland) and Tredegar (South Wales), Humberside, Manchester, Edinburgh and Staines.
- We provide a ‘best in class’ structured learning experience with industry qualifications built in.
- Our apprenticeships offer transparency around career paths and are open to everyone.
- Our apprentices are employed and earn a salary from day one.
- Training goes beyond just the practical skills. We try to impart life skills through the inclusion of programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
- Our engineering apprenticeships have a 93% achievement rate, which outperforms the national average by more than 25%.
- During 2017 Centrica has committed to provide 300 training places to help young people not in education, employment or training as part of the Movement to Work Programme. Upon successful completion, participants can apply to join one of Centrica’s apprenticeship programmes.
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