The survey* of senior decision makers in 605 medium-sized businesses in the UK finds that the main reasons these employers do not currently offer a school leaver apprenticeship programme are:
- The level of work/resource required
- They’re unclear about the benefits school leaver apprentices would bring to their business
- The incentives to do so aren’t strong enough
One in four also noted that they are put off by the apprenticeship system as it is ‘too complex’ (25%) and that they ‘focus on graduate recruitment’ (25%).
However, the research finds that these businesses could look to unlock numerous benefits by considering this route. The businesses surveyed who do currently offer these types of programmes for students leaving school post A-levels noted the following as the top benefits they have added to their business:
- Providing access to a talented pool of employees ready for progression opportunities
- Providing access to a more diverse talent pool
- The ability to train them to meet the skills needs of the business
Over three quarters (76%) of the businesses surveyed who do already recruit school leaver apprentices also plan to recruit more in the next five years.
The apprenticeship route is growing in popularity, with the latest ONS data for the 2024/25 academic year showing that higher apprenticeship starts increased by 8%, compared to the same period the prior year.
Previous research conducted by Grant Thornton last year also found that parents are more likely to encourage their child to apply for a school leaver apprenticeship (44%) than for university (40%).
The main reasons parents gave for encouraging school leaver apprenticeships for their children are:
- Gain practical on the job experience
- Get paid while gaining a certified qualification
- No student debt
Richard Waite, People and Culture Director and Head of Talent and Recruitment, Grant Thornton UK LLP, said:
“While university will always offer a positive route for many, the ability for young people to start work straight away and earn a salary through an apprenticeship, while also studying towards a qualification, offers a valuable alternative route; and it’s only growing in popularity.
“While a school leaver apprenticeship offers many benefits to the individual it also opens up a significant new talent pool for employers. Businesses who don’t explore this route may be missing out on talented individuals who are eager to learn and progress, and able to bring in diverse views and ways of thinking to the organisation. An apprenticeship programme also allows the employer to provide skills development that directly supports their business’ and wider market needs, developing a strong future talent pool.
“At Grant Thornton, we have focused on the school leaver apprenticeship route, alongside graduate recruitment, for many years now and would encourage any employer to do the same. Many of our senior leaders started their careers as school leaver apprentices and the skills an apprenticeship programme can provide to the individual, and the skills gaps it can address for the employer, highlights the exciting opportunity this alternative route can provide.”
Grant Thornton has long championed the apprenticeship route and was named one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in England in 2024 by the Department for Education. Over the past four years the firm has welcomed over 550 school leavers on to its trainee apprenticeship programme.
Husayn Moosa joined the firm as a school leaver apprentice in 2021. He knew what he wanted from his career and believed an apprenticeship offered the quickest way for him to get started. Husayn outlines why he thought this was the right route for him:
“I wanted a career in audit as I wanted to learn accounting skills and develop a strong understanding of financial requirements and principles. When I found out about the degree apprenticeship route, as opposed to going to university, I was intrigued about where it could take me and my experience of the trainee programme at Grant Thornton has been even better than I expected. The support throughout the entire programme has been excellent, especially around exam periods where the team understand revision will take priority.
“I’ve also had so much variety in the work I have done since joining the team, from working with universities to streaming services, allowing me to understand many different industries and the environment in which they operate.
“What I have loved about my apprenticeship is that everything I learn, I am able to put into practice and gain first-hand experience through my client work. This really helps me build my knowledge while also completing the relevant studies towards my ACA qualification and earning a competitive salary.”
Chelsey Small joined Grant Thornton as a school leaver apprentice in 2017. Now fully qualified and a Corporate Tax Manager at the firm, she outlines why she chose the apprenticeship route and the opportunities it has offered her:
“My initial plan was to study economics at university, but I realised that the universities I wanted to attend required a maths A-level, which I didn’t have. Around the same time, I saw relatives graduating with degrees and struggling to find graduate roles, which made me reconsider the value of a traditional university path.
“As I researched alternative career options, I discovered school leaver apprenticeships. These seemed like the perfect fit – they offered the chance to gain work experience and professional qualifications right away. After completing work experience in both audit and tax, I knew that tax was the right path for me and that an apprenticeship would allow me to start building my career immediately.
“I had some amazing opportunities on the apprenticeship programme, including client secondments. My advice to anyone starting their career is to be super curious – get involved in as much as you can, even if it’s something completely new to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; there’s always someone willing to help.”
*Censuswide, on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP, surveyed 605 senior decision makers in UK mid-sized businesses in July 2024 (mid-sized defined as businesses with turnover between £50million - £500million)
Press Release
One in four businesses missing out on young talent by neglecting school leaver apprenticeships
07 Feb 2025
This National Apprenticeship Week, new research from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that one in four (25%) businesses are missing out on a significant talent pool by not offering apprenticeship programmes for young people joining the workforce straight from school.
The survey* of senior decision makers in 605 medium-sized businesses in the UK finds that the main reasons these employers do not currently offer a school leaver apprenticeship programme are:
- The level of work/resource required
- They’re unclear about the benefits school leaver apprentices would bring to their business
- The incentives to do so aren’t strong enough
One in four also noted that they are put off by the apprenticeship system as it is ‘too complex’ (25%) and that they ‘focus on graduate recruitment’ (25%).
However, the research finds that these businesses could look to unlock numerous benefits by considering this route. The businesses surveyed who do currently offer these types of programmes for students leaving school post A-levels noted the following as the top benefits they have added to their business:
- Providing access to a talented pool of employees ready for progression opportunities
- Providing access to a more diverse talent pool
- The ability to train them to meet the skills needs of the business
Over three quarters (76%) of the businesses surveyed who do already recruit school leaver apprentices also plan to recruit more in the next five years.
The apprenticeship route is growing in popularity, with the latest ONS data for the 2024/25 academic year showing that higher apprenticeship starts increased by 8%, compared to the same period the prior year.
Previous research conducted by Grant Thornton last year also found that parents are more likely to encourage their child to apply for a school leaver apprenticeship (44%) than for university (40%).
The main reasons parents gave for encouraging school leaver apprenticeships for their children are:
- Gain practical on the job experience
- Get paid while gaining a certified qualification
- No student debt
Richard Waite, People and Culture Director and Head of Talent and Recruitment, Grant Thornton UK LLP, said:
“While university will always offer a positive route for many, the ability for young people to start work straight away and earn a salary through an apprenticeship, while also studying towards a qualification, offers a valuable alternative route; and it’s only growing in popularity.
“While a school leaver apprenticeship offers many benefits to the individual it also opens up a significant new talent pool for employers. Businesses who don’t explore this route may be missing out on talented individuals who are eager to learn and progress, and able to bring in diverse views and ways of thinking to the organisation. An apprenticeship programme also allows the employer to provide skills development that directly supports their business’ and wider market needs, developing a strong future talent pool.
“At Grant Thornton, we have focused on the school leaver apprenticeship route, alongside graduate recruitment, for many years now and would encourage any employer to do the same. Many of our senior leaders started their careers as school leaver apprentices and the skills an apprenticeship programme can provide to the individual, and the skills gaps it can address for the employer, highlights the exciting opportunity this alternative route can provide.”
Grant Thornton has long championed the apprenticeship route and was named one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in England in 2024 by the Department for Education. Over the past four years the firm has welcomed over 550 school leavers on to its trainee apprenticeship programme.
Husayn Moosa joined the firm as a school leaver apprentice in 2021. He knew what he wanted from his career and believed an apprenticeship offered the quickest way for him to get started. Husayn outlines why he thought this was the right route for him:
“I wanted a career in audit as I wanted to learn accounting skills and develop a strong understanding of financial requirements and principles. When I found out about the degree apprenticeship route, as opposed to going to university, I was intrigued about where it could take me and my experience of the trainee programme at Grant Thornton has been even better than I expected. The support throughout the entire programme has been excellent, especially around exam periods where the team understand revision will take priority.
“I’ve also had so much variety in the work I have done since joining the team, from working with universities to streaming services, allowing me to understand many different industries and the environment in which they operate.
“What I have loved about my apprenticeship is that everything I learn, I am able to put into practice and gain first-hand experience through my client work. This really helps me build my knowledge while also completing the relevant studies towards my ACA qualification and earning a competitive salary.”
Chelsey Small joined Grant Thornton as a school leaver apprentice in 2017. Now fully qualified and a Corporate Tax Manager at the firm, she outlines why she chose the apprenticeship route and the opportunities it has offered her:
“My initial plan was to study economics at university, but I realised that the universities I wanted to attend required a maths A-level, which I didn’t have. Around the same time, I saw relatives graduating with degrees and struggling to find graduate roles, which made me reconsider the value of a traditional university path.
“As I researched alternative career options, I discovered school leaver apprenticeships. These seemed like the perfect fit – they offered the chance to gain work experience and professional qualifications right away. After completing work experience in both audit and tax, I knew that tax was the right path for me and that an apprenticeship would allow me to start building my career immediately.
“I had some amazing opportunities on the apprenticeship programme, including client secondments. My advice to anyone starting their career is to be super curious – get involved in as much as you can, even if it’s something completely new to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; there’s always someone willing to help.”
*Censuswide, on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP, surveyed 605 senior decision makers in UK mid-sized businesses in July 2024 (mid-sized defined as businesses with turnover between £50million - £500million)