Head of Apprenticeships Sam Ainsley spoke to FE Week during National Apprenticeship Week about the important role that apprenticeships play in solving skills shortages and what Newcastle College is doing to grow them. Read an expanded version of the article below.
Many industries across the UK are currently facing the challenges of an ageing workforce and growing skills shortages, all exacerbated by changing technologies, moving government priorities, and a cost-of-living crisis.
Further education colleges like ours are working in close partnership with employers and local government to address these challenges; investing in industry-standard equipment so our students are work-ready and developing qualifications and courses that provide the right skills and experiences for our students.
That includes making sure we offer apprenticeships – which are often a ready-made solution to many of these challenges.
These structured, work-based learning programmes offer people a direct route into skilled jobs, while employers benefit from a pipeline of talent trained to meet their needs. With funding support available through the Apprenticeship Levy for many, they also provide a cost-effective solution for businesses grappling with rising employment costs, including national insurance hikes.
Apprenticeships are crucial for the UK’s future. Sectors like green energy and net zero require a new generation of skilled workers, and apprenticeships offer a practical, scalable way to meet these demands at pace. If we are serious about economic growth and long-term workforce resilience, apprenticeships are an excellent way forward.
Yet, enrolment in apprenticeships has declined by over 30% since 2017. So why are they still underutilised?
The issue of miseducation
Many employers know that apprenticeships are a fantastic choice for their business, but they can be complex to navigate, and there is work to be done to ensure businesses of all sizes understand how they can access apprenticeships and the support available to them.
Plus, while some young people love the idea of earning and learning, there is often a misconception amongst parents or the public that apprenticeships are a second-tier option that have limited career potential.
This is a huge frustration when we know that apprenticeships we run at Newcastle College and across NCG offer a wide range of transferable, knowledge, skills and behaviours that equip learners with industry recognised qualifications that are linked directly to employer demand and can lead to fantastic, rewarding careers in a range of sectors.
So, what can we do about it? Newcastle College has planned ambitious business numbers for 25/26 alongside the introduction of six new Apprenticeship Standards to support growth.
Apprenticeships are uniquely effective because they are designed with employers right from the outset, where they evolve in real time to meet employer, sector, and regional needs. New innovations constantly reshape job requirements, and apprenticeships move alongside them. This agility is essential to support the developments across industries.
The Persimmon Homes Academy at Newcastle College is an example of how, by working directly with employers, apprenticeships in construction provide an immediate talent pipeline, addressing persistent shortages in the industry. The Academy, launched in partnership with the College in 2024, provides bricklaying, joinery, and roofing apprenticeships, ensuring that learners receive industry-standard training from the outset. With the direct support of Persimmon's Regional Apprentice Manager, apprentices gain hands-on experience and structured career progression within the company.
MP Chi Onwurah, who officially opened the Academy, praised its role in helping to close a regional skills gap and providing opportunities for young people of all backgrounds. This kind of collaboration between education providers and employers should be the norm, not the exception. If more industries adopted similar models, skills shortages in key sectors could be significantly reduced.
Employers often require specific skills that may not yet be incorporated into traditional which can lead to, a disconnect. To overcome this, Newcastle College has adopted a flexible, industry-responsive approach. By closely collaborating with employers like Persimmon Homes, the college ensures that apprenticeship programmes are continually updated to reflect the latest industry trends and standards. This proactive approach not only bridges the skills gap but also builds stronger relationships between education providers and employers, ensuring that apprentices are equipped with the skills employers need, both now and in the future.
Apprenticeships must offer competitive salaries
For apprenticeships to remain a viable alternative to full-time study, wages must reflect the value that apprentices bring to businesses. Currently, the national apprenticeship minimum wage stands at just £6.40 per hour - significantly lower than the real living wage. While some sectors, such as engineering and construction, can offer incremental pay rises, others, like hospitality and hairdressing, often have no choice but to adhere to the minimum wage, making recruitment a challenge.
Employers who invest in apprentices with structured pay progression see higher retention rates and a more motivated workforce. Apprenticeships must not only be seen as a training route but as a financially attractive career choice. Government incentives should encourage and help businesses to pay apprentices fairly and reflect the long-term value they add.
Embedding sustainability in apprenticeships
As industries transition towards net zero, apprenticeships must also evolve to support green jobs. Over the next two years, Newcastle College is keen to introduce new "dark green apprenticeships" potentially in the digital and energy sectors, ensuring that sustainability is embedded into training at every level. Initiatives like the Green Jobs Taskforce have identified apprenticeships as crucial to meeting the UK’s 2050 net-zero target.
Rethinking the role of apprenticeships in Further Education
If the UK is serious about solving skills shortages, supporting young people into employment and upskilling to meet skills demands in emerging sectors, apprenticeships must be central to employer growth strategies. For education, that means tackling outdated perceptions, ensuring apprentices earn competitive wages, and strengthening employer partnerships.
Further education institutions and businesses must push for greater government support in funding, promotion, and streamlining bureaucracy. Without significant reform, we risk missing the opportunity to equip the next generation with the skills they - and the economy - urgently need.
Apprenticeships are the pinnacle of education, offering qualifications that are capable of solving key challenges. Beyond National Apprenticeship Week, we have to keep shouting about them and ensure they get the recognition they deserve.