Common apprenticeship myths busted: Uncover the true benefits for employers

When addressing skills gaps, do you focus on long-term solutions or temporary measures? If it’s the latter, you’re not alone. A third (33%) of employers have resorted to hiring temporary or contract staff to alleviate skills shortages in the past year, according to our 2025 Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide. Too many employers are evidently stuck in a cycle of quick fixes, which can be costly, time-consuming, and unsustainable. That’s not to say employers should avoid hiring temporary or contract workers; it’s just that while they are adopting this approach to immediately solve their short-term talent gaps, they should simultaneously be investing in long-term solutions.

The solution to tomorrow’s skills obstacles could be found in the past. A historical practice that has stood the test of time, apprenticeship models like ours are a proven way of building the skills for the future.

Currently though, only 31% are leveraging apprenticeships to solve their skills shortages, despite the potential to get to the source of the issue rather than merely temporarily relieving it. This may partly be down to the misconceptions held by some employers regarding these schemes. Here, we debunk some common myths about apprenticeships and shed light on the vast benefits to be had with this hiring strategy.

Myth: Apprenticeships are only relevant in blue-collar industries

Historically, apprenticeship programmes were predominantly adopted in blue-collar industries, such as construction and manufacturing, but these schemes are now also common in white-collar industries. As significant technological advancements continue to widen the digital skills gap, hiring for potential over existing skillset is growing in popularity.

The tech industry is a prime example of where employers can benefit from focusing on transferable skills rather than previous experience. The overwhelming majority (93%) of tech employers faced skills shortages in the past year and the constantly advancing nature of this industry means it’s not always possible to find professionals with extensive experience in a similar role. Apprenticeship programmes can be an effective solution, providing apprentices with a solid foundation to consistently learn and develop as their roles continue to evolve.

Myth: They are costly with slow speed to value

When conducted in the right way, apprenticeship programmes can provide rapid and substantial value to businesses, making them a smart and cost-effective investment for both now and the future. This is due to their tailored nature, whereby apprentices learn skills directly relevant to an organisation’s needs, enhancing their ability to add value quickly. Once starting training, they can begin applying their skills and knowledge – and have an active contribution to the business – almost immediately.

The financial gain can be significant; it’s estimated that employers in the UK gain between £2,500 and £18,000 per apprentice each year during their training period. What’s more, the outputs of apprentices typically exceed their costs, ultimately providing a net benefit in most cases. And if the apprentice stays with their employer after completing their training, the financial value will increase even further as apprenticeship costs are eliminated and their productivity is likely to be higher.

At Skills and Learning, we’ve significantly improved our speed to value by frontloading training into the first three months. This approach provides all the theoretical knowledge upfront, allowing the apprentices to quickly transition into their roles. They can then focus on applying and consolidating their knowledge as they progress.

Myth: Only school-leavers will apply for these roles

It’s a common misconception that apprenticeship programmes solely attract school-leavers aged 16-18. In reality, under 19’s accounted for less than a quarter (23%) of apprenticeship starts for the most recently recorded academic year. Having a diverse range of ages can be beneficial as different perspectives and a mix of skillsets are brought to the table.

But, besides just age, how can you ensure your apprenticeship programme attracts a truly diverse range of applicants? A good place to start is by implementing inclusive recruitment practices that eliminate language bias, using blind recruitment, and having diverse interview panels. At Skills and Learning, we can support you in driving diversity in your apprenticeship programmes, as we collaborate with various partners and communities to provide you with access to a large and diverse pool of undiscovered talent. In fact, over half of our apprentices that we place into programmes are career changers, and we also have a wide range of age demographics and experience levels.

Myth: Apprenticeship programmes are not worth the effort

Apprenticeship programmes – when done in the right way – have the power to greatly benefit both the apprentices and the organisation by fostering a skilled and loyal workforce, hitting the source of your skills shortages and providing a long-term solution that could save your organisation a great deal of time and money in the long run.

However, hosting an in-house apprenticeship programme comes with its challenges: maintaining high-quality training and mentorship, navigating complex regulations and compliance requirements, and keeping apprentices engaged and motivated, to name a few. Overcoming these hurdles can be time-consuming and, despite the benefits to be had, you may be deterred from making the investment.

That’s where we come in – at Skills and Learning, we address employers’ skills shortages by discovering, coaching, mentoring, and upskilling hidden talent through training and apprenticeship programmes. We approach apprenticeships differently from the norm by leveraging funding and quality to develop talent rapidly. Our focus is on driving value from the start, rather than simply developing ‘trainees’. We tailor our approach to meet your organisation’s immediate and long-term goals, providing you with the cost-effective solution you need to solve the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Hays is listed on the Register of Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agencies, enabling us to connect employers with individuals seeking new opportunities. To find out more about how we can support your organisation through a flexible apprenticeship programme, get in touch today.