Candidates with higher apprenticeships most employable

Jo Faragher

Employers in England believe candidates with higher-level apprenticeships are more employable than those with other qualifications, according to a survey of hiring companies by ICM research.

Asked to rate the employability of people with different qualifications on a scale of 1 to 10, people with a higher-level apprenticeship – equivalent to degree-level – were rated the most desirable, with a mean score of 7.98 out of 10. This scored higher than a university degree, which attracted a mean score of 7.58.

Advanced and intermediate level apprenticeship qualifications also rated highly, at 7.24 and 6.86 respectively.

More than 3,500 people started higher apprenticeships during the 2011/2012 academic year, a 68% rise on the previous year.

In 2013, higher apprenticeships will be available in a total of 41 subjects including engineering, environmental technologies, interactive media, legal services and space engineering.

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “We want apprenticeships or university to become the new norm for young people leaving school and higher apprenticeships are an excellent way to enter high-profile careers while also achieving a degree-level qualification.”