AECOM plans to hire 150 apprentices in 2016
Misperceptions that apprenticeships are an inferior route into industry are the biggest barrier to attracting good candidates, according to a survey1 of apprentices carried out by global infrastructure services firm AECOM, which plans to hire 150 apprentices in 2016.
One in three apprentices responding to the survey (33 percent) cite this misperception as the greatest barrier, while almost one in four (23 percent) say a lack of information and awareness about the benefits of apprenticeships in schools is the biggest obstacle. Just over one in five (21 percent) say a lack of availability of apprenticeships is the challenge. According to the survey, many good candidates are not considering apprenticeships in the first place because they view them as inferior to degrees (32 percent), while a lack of awareness about what apprenticeships entail is putting off others (28 percent).
A viable alternative to university
The survey provides evidence that apprenticeships are an increasingly viable alternative to university, with over half (52 percent) choosing an apprenticeship instead of a formal university degree route and a further 14 percent not even considering a degree as a feasible option due to tuition fees. When questioned about what put them off university, 40 percent cite the desire to earn money at the same time as studying for a career, while nearly a quarter (23 percent) say it was because there was no guarantee of a job at the end of it.
When asked what they would be doing if they weren’t an apprentice, a quarter (25 percent) say they would be doing a job unrelated to or below their skill set while 12 percent worry they may not have found a job immediately.
Paul McCormick, Managing Director –Transportation, UK & Ireland and Continental Europe, AECOM, said: “I began my career as an apprentice more than three decades ago, so I know first-hand that apprenticeships are a proven, viable route into the infrastructure and built environment sector. More needs to be done, however, to convince good candidates that apprenticeships offer a meaningful and rewarding career path, including sponsorship for a part-time degree at a later date. We employ more than 300 apprentices and plan to hire 150 new apprentices this year – more than ever before. Attracting high-quality candidates is therefore key. In return we will offer them opportunities to work on some of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects, from Crossrail, HS2 and the Thames Tideway Tunnel to exciting schemes for Transport for London and the Department for Transport.”
Apprenticeships must not be viewed as cheap labour
A strong commitment to on-the-job training and staff development is essential to the success of apprenticeships. When asked why apprenticeships can sometimes go wrong, 68 percent of respondents say that based on their previous experiences and those of their peers in other companies, the main reason for failure is when employers view them as cheap labour and don’t train or mentor apprentices properly.
A long-term career path, including the opportunity to do a degree part-time at a later date, is cited by 45 percent of respondents as the most important factor when applying for an apprenticeship at AECOM. Nearly one third (32 percent) say the quality of the on-the-job training is the most important factor.
A sharp focus on the future
The apprentices questioned have a keen eye on the future. When asked about the greatest benefit apprenticeships bring industry, 58 percent say they are a proven route to building a skilled future professional workforce. Importantly, the vast majority (80 percent) believe that as an apprentice, they have embarked on a career with big prospects, including the potential to become a future leader at AECOM.
Respondents are positive about their own experiences, with 77 percent saying their apprenticeship has developed their life skills more quickly than a degree would have done, against just 10 percent who thought the reverse. Getting exposure to real work at an earlier stage is the competitive advantage that an apprenticeship offers over a degree.
Nearly half (48 percent) say their experience as an apprentice has transformed their view of their capabilities and what they can achieve. An additional 46 percent say it has changed their career aspirations for the better, against just four percent who say it had changed their career expectations for the worse.
-ENDS-
Enquiries:
AECOM
Muna Al-Azzawi
0207 798 5158 / 07917 574 766
muna.al-azzawi@aecom.com
Notes to editors:
- AECOM surveyed over 200 of its apprentices between 29th February and 7th March 2016.
