Apprentices more employable than graduates says survey

The research, conducted by ICM Research, showed apprentices were rated head and shoulders above their peers by major employers. Sarah Sillars, CEO of Sector Skills Council Semta, said that the research findings were a potent pointer to young people making up their minds as to which career path to follow. "Employers welcome Apprentices with open arms," she said. "They know the business benefits that they bring with them. The science, engineering and manufacturing sector needs tens of thousands of skilled employees in the next few years – and now is the perfect time to get on board." Higher Apprentices came out on top in the survey, with employers rating them at 7.98 (out of 10). Apprentices were rated at 7.36. Skills Minister Matthew Hancock welcomed the findings and said that taking a Higher Apprenticeship could boost a young person's lifetime earnings by more than £150,000. The Department for Business Innovation and Science has also identified that apprentices produce an average premium for businesses of £214 per week with a £414 per week premium in Science and Engineering.