The Industry Apprentice Council surveyed over 500 UK apprentices to understand their views and experiences. Most respondents were between 19-24 years old, in their second year of an apprenticeship in engineering or manufacturing. Over half found their apprenticeship through their own initiative or a careers advisor, and most felt their school did not adequately promote apprenticeships compared to further or higher education. An overwhelming majority were pleased with their decision to do an apprenticeship and felt it has helped inspire others.

1. NATIONAL INDUSTRY APPRENTICE SURVEY
2013 RESULTS
The Industry Apprentice Council (IAC), a group of young industry apprentices, launched a national survey to gain the views of as
many UK apprentices as possible to help shape future campaigns, discussions with government and education organisations,
and back up their calls for improved apprenticeship careers advice in schools.
DEMOGRAPHIC OF RESPONDENTS
APPRENTICESHIP YEAR
WHO TOOK THE SURVEY?
571
APPRENTICES
Yr 4+ 1%
AGE:
85%
Yr 3
31%
3%
NORTH WEST
10%
AGE:
AGE:
32+
5.2% 3.1%
WHAT SECTORS DO THEY WORK IN?
6%
NORTH EAST
19 - 24
25 - 31
Yr 2
31%
WHERE ARE THEY FROM?
SCOTLAND
16 - 18
.4
0.2% 29% 62%
15%
Yr 1
23%
AGE:
AGE:
Under 16
Yr 4
14%
YORKSHIRE & HUMBER 3%
WEST MIDLANDS
7%
EAST MIDLANDS
21%
SOUTH WEST
15%
in EAL's remaining
sectors, including
Building Services,
Energy & Utilities,
Construction and
Logistics.
2%
SOUTH EAST
Automotive
10%
LONDON
Engineering and Manufacturing
7%
WALES
16% 12%
16%
EAST OF ENGLAND
67%
*remainder selected none of the above and were disqualified
CAREERS GUIDANCE
How did you find out about
your apprenticeship?
More than
50%
said their own
Careers
Advisor
6%
said
‘My Parents’
Suggestion
initiative
36%
9%
6%
Teacher
Careers
Fair
15%
said Friend
24%
33%
Good
19%
Very good
24%
said Family
member
13%
Reasonable
said
Other
0.7%
Job Centre
Plus
62%
7%
Very poor
13%
said Online
Research
NAS
I didn’t receive any
Poor
9%
How do you think your school or college perceived
apprenticeships compared to further and higher education?
How would you rate the careers
information, advice and guidance you
received at school/college?
13%
4%
20%
HE was the
No.1 pathway
15%
FE was the
No.1 pathway
All career routes
were seen as equal
4%
The vocational route
(inc. apprenticeships)
was No.1 pathway
APPRENTICESHIP PERCEPTION
APPRENTICES’ FUTURE
Are you pleased you chose to do an apprenticeship?
Do you think apprenticeships should lead to professional accreditation as standard upon
completion - such as registered technician status in engineering, for example?
98.5%
1.5%
NO
YES - it was the best choice for me
Having taken the apprenticeship pathway
have you inspired others (such as friends,
family or colleagues) to do the same?
Have your friends or family’s perceptions
of apprenticeships changed since you
became an apprentice?
96.5%
What influence did the following have on your decision to do an apprenticeship?
Job Prospects
40%
Earn & Learn
5
%
30%
Avoiding Debt
Further Qualifications
4
%
3
%
21%
75%
18%
23%
32%
63%
66%
55%
74%
Strong influence
69%
48%
Practical Learning
4
%
2
%
Yes - some have started apprenticeships
3.5%
NO
YES
30%
27%
Some influence
No influence
The National Union of Students (NUS) represents higher and further education students.
Do you think apprentices should have a similar national representative body?
Some wish they had taken an apprenticeship
12%
No- my apprenticeship has not inspired others
to follow in my footstep
They think more highly of apprenticeships now
Their opinions of apprenticeships have not changed
They think less of apprenticeships now
Sponsored by
63%
IAC_Apprentices
Yes - it’s important that
apprentices have their own
national representative body
2%
IndustryApprenticeCouncil
No
35%
I think NUS should
represent apprentices
as well as students
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