JTL Blog


Has Covid-19 prompted you to think about an apprenticeship?


Last year, we looked at whether the lack of face-to-face learning as a result of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic had left you feeling disheartened about university. Nine months on, it’s been revealed that more than a third of 16- to 21-year-olds are less likely to choose a university education than they were before Covid-19. The recent survey carried out by housebuilder Redrow has also revealed that 42% of young people say they are now more likely to consider on the job learning such as an apprenticeship.

What did the survey reveal?

As part of its annual survey on attitudes toward apprenticeships and careers in construction, this year Redrow has also investigated what impact Coronavirus has had on further education plans. The results reveal that since the start of the pandemic, 36% of young people are concerned about their job prospects and routes that combine both work and education have more appeal, with 42% of respondents more likely to pursue work-based learning such as an apprenticeship.

It has been well-documented that young people have been the hardest hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With less time spent in school, the number of young adults who have had information on apprenticeships outlined to them via school resources has in turn dropped from 63% in 2018 to 57% in 2021, reaching a four-year low. Additionally, the results suggest that gender stereotypes are also still present when encouraging young people towards construction careers. Only 33% of female respondents had discussed careers within the construction industry at school compared to 46% of young males.

However, it’s promising to see that parents’ views reflect a more positive outlook. The majority (69%) say that they have discussed the prospect of their child doing an apprenticeship. This has increased from 65% in 2017. As a leading training provider, we understand that the thought of your child’s future being decided during such uncertain times can be daunting for both students and parents and guardians alike. If you’re a parent or guardian read our previous blog ‘Keeping your options open in the current Covid-19 crisis’ for more information and advice on what an apprenticeship could mean for your child.

Build for a better future

In light of the on-going pandemic and economic landscape, we want to encourage school leavers to consider an apprenticeship more than ever before. We deliver apprenticeship training in the building services engineering sector, which forms part of the construction industry. Apprenticeships have become a popular choice for those who want to gain industry recognised qualifications and job specific skills, without the hefty debt of a student loan if attending university.

JTL apprenticeships lead to jobs that are essential to our economy and give aspiring tradespeople a foot in the door, as well as an increased chance of securing a job in their chosen industry. Once the Covid-19 pandemic has passed, trade roles will be needed more than ever as more employers look to grow their business, and apprentices will be instrumental in making this happen. In the meantime, apprenticeships will continue to address skills gaps whilst creating employment opportunities across countless sectors.

Applications for prospective JTL apprentices are open and remain unaffected by Covid-19.

For more information on how you can apply for an apprenticeship this Spring, follow this link here: https://application.jtltraining.com/

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