A Level results day is the day when images of teenagers clutching their A Level results fill news feeds throughout England and Wales. For many, the culmination of months and years of study, it’s however just the first day on a journey that will see nearly 650,000 undergraduates embark on University courses this Autumn.

Post A Level choices

Successful school and college leavers, faced with annual fees of £9,250 and an interest rate of 6.1 per are however increasingly rejecting this traditional route. They’re looking instead at the opportunities afforded by Apprenticeships and have been quick to grasp the benefits and possibilities on offer.Joy Stewart, head of skills and development at GM Chamber, comments, “Apprenticeships are a great way for businesses to recruit talented individuals with a real drive to excel in the workplace, and to develop in them specific skills needed by the company.”Government figures back up the experience of businesses and apprentices alike, outlining the benefits to the employers and the apprentice.

Benefits to employers:

• Apprenticeships enable businesses to grow their skills base resulting in increased profits, lower prices and better products
• 87 per cent of employers said they were satisfied with their apprenticeship programme
• 76 per cent of employers say that productivity has improved
• 75 per cent of employers reported that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service
• Traineeships offer small businesses an opportunity to help build a pool of high quality future recruits for their sector standards in development.

Benefits to the Apprentice:

• After finishing, the majority of apprentices (90 per cent) stay in employment (including 2 per cent self-employed), with seven in ten (71 per cent) staying with the same employer
• A quarter of former apprentices had been promoted (23 per cent) within 12 months of finishing
• 89 per cent of apprentices are satisfied with their apprenticeship
• 85 per cent of apprentices said their ability to do the job had improved
• 83 per cent of apprentices said their career prospects had improved
• Those completing a higher apprenticeship could see increased earnings of an estimated £150,000 over their lifetime

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Related stories:

• A Level results 2017: students receive their grades
• EHRC proposes flexible working for all to close pay gaps
• Guides published for gender pay reporting and apprentice levy

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Non Levy paying companies with an apprenticeship vacancy or potential vacancy are eligible for a fully funded workforce development plan. Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce's Skills Team are on hand to discuss and advise you if having an apprentice would be a viable option to help fill any skills gaps and also to make the process as simple as possible for your business.Please contact one of the team: skills@gmchamber.co.uk 0161 393 4349 for more information and to check eligibility.For related news and features, visit our Education and Schools section.

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