Evidence that proves apprenticeships actually work

The training company, whose customers includes some of the biggest names in water, gas, electricity and construction, wants more companies in the sector to recognise the key theme of the week ‘Apprenticeships Work’ and recruit more trainees.

Chris Wood, CEO of Develop Training, said: “Working with some of the UK’s largest utility firms, our success rates have been very high. We and our customers have no doubt that, managed well, apprenticeships do work.”

He added: “New initiatives such as Trailblazer Apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Levy have raised awareness across the UK. Even so, and despite huge skills shortages, many employers are still only scratching the surface of what they could be doing to use apprenticeships to attract new people to join the industry and improve the skills of existing employees.”

DTL delivers most of its training from its nationwide training centres, although it also works with learners and firms on site and at customers’ premises across the country. The company has invested in facilities to support training and essential skills development nationwide.

Contrary to general ideas, apprenticeship candidates vary in age up to 30 and beyond, and while many intakes are all male, a number of women have taken part in DTL programmes.

For apprentices themselves, the benefits include even more than a well-paid, secure, skilled job at the end of the process. The training company provides extra support for candidates who need it due to dyslexia, for example. It also provides a ‘learning journey’ where candidates improve on basic maths, English and ICT through an online programme, enabling them to progress beyond school qualification levels.