- A workforce with the skills employers need: The professional services Higher Apprenticeship is being designed by employers, for employers. It includes the blend of professional qualifications and business skills that professional services employers consistently say they need.
- A stronger pipeline: By providing a recognised alternative route into the sector, the professional services Higher Apprenticeship will enable employers to access otherwise untapped, under-represented pools of talented recruits with the talent to thrive in professional services.
- A diverse workforce with a range of different skills and perspectives: Diversity is proven to improve financial performance, bringing different perspectives to business challenges, and greater innovation and value to client services.
- A productive, efficient workforce: 80% of those who employ Apprentices say they make the workplace more productive.
- A motivated, satisfied workforce: 92% of Apprenticeship employers say they lead to a motivated & satisfied workplace.
- A strong recruitment proposition: The professional services Higher Apprenticeship will enable employers to take a nationally recognised programme to the recruitment market which offers prospective employees a structured and accredited route to high skill careers in the professional services.
- A loyal client base: Customers value employers who embrace Apprenticeships: 81% of customers would prefer to use a company that employs Apprentices.
- Substantial support from Government: In addition to its significant contribution to the training costs for Apprentices – up to 100% for Apprentices aged 16-18 when they start their Apprenticeship - the National Apprenticeships Service also provides substantial vacancy filling and other support for employers.
- A core around which employers can build distinctive programmes: Individual employers can build their own, distinctive Apprenticeship programmes around the core professional services Higher Apprenticeship framework, creating a unique experience for Apprentices in their particular organisation.
- A means of fulfilling our social responsibility: Engaging with and promoting Apprenticeships represents a real contribution to the local community – and helps foster social mobility.
All data taken from Apprenticeships, survey conducted by Populus on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council, February 2009