It’s no secret that the UK workforce has been struggling over the last few years.
The ongoing impact of Brexit and Covid-19, political and economic instability, and huge shifts in how we use technology have changed the workforce, creating staff shortages, skills gaps and uncertainty around job security.
Our capacity as a nation to achieve our social and economic priorities depends on having a trained and innovative labour force, according to the Edge Foundation, and this won’t happen without a real effort to invest in skills and development.
This is where apprenticeships come in. Not only do they give young people an opportunity for personal development and a chance to learn skills in their chosen field, but they offer real benefits for employers and wider teams, too.
Official figures from the government show that for the 2024/2025 academic year [covering August 2024-January 2025]apprenticeship starts were up 1.0 per cent to 202,520, compared to 200,550 in the previous year.
If we want to supercharge our workforce and create economic and social growth as a nation, investing in apprenticeships should be a priority.
Addressing shortages and filling talent gaps
Chronic staff shortages are affecting so many industries, and this is putting the productivity and output of our workforce at serious risk.
A recent Skills England report released in June 2025 highlights the extent of the problem. In a study carried out on 743 employers, the report found that these critical skills shortages are leaving many jobs unfilled across key sectors, with some facing a complete breakdown.
Some of the most critical sectors include construction, creative industries, digital and technologies, manufacturing, financial services, and adult health and social care. Worryingly, the construction sector alone has 52 per cent of its jobs left unfilled, which poses a huge threat to the government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Additionally, 69 per cent of employers in the creative industries say their staff need urgent retraining in new technologies.
Apprenticeships allow people to gain on the job experience at the same time as learning the theory behind their chosen trade, creating a ready-made talent pipeline that can help plug these gaps. Training an apprentice also means employers can focus on areas of the job that are most in demand and tailor training programmes accordingly, so it’s a win-win.
Upskilling and learning the ropes
The specialist skills needed in any job take time to master, so it makes complete sense for employers to tackle this early on by training up an apprentice who can learn alongside their studies.
After all, many industries simply don’t have time to waste, so training individuals in the specific skills needed should be a no-brainer for employers.
It’s also worth noting that alongside the more technical skills required for any job, every workplace needs its employees to develop the skills to work at that organisation. Perhaps certain software is used for HR or organisation purposes, or there are routine meetings and associated admin that need to be covered.
Taking on an apprentice to learn the ropes of these skills early on means once they are fully trained, they are ready to step into a full-time role with the knowledge and experience they need to get the job done, helping boost the productivity and output of the whole team.
Widening the talent pool
There are so many talented people looking for opportunities to learn, develop and get into employment, but not everyone has access to the traditional route of a university education.
Tuition fees will rise to £9,535 later this year, and the cost-of-living crisis is still impacting finances, so many simply can’t afford to take this path.
Apprenticeships offer an alternative route, giving individuals the chance to earn while they learn and allowing employers the opportunity to hire hard-working, talented people who may otherwise be pushed out.
Research from the Office of National Statistics [ONS] found that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to feel in control of their future than those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Employers can give a boost to their teams by hiring these people who need to be given a chance to learn and grow.
Boosting morale and motivation
Employee satisfaction is key to a productive workplace, and taking on an apprentice can have a surprising impact on increasing the morale and motivation of the wider team.
Choosing existing employees to act as mentors for an apprentice can give them a sense of responsibility and confidence that their employer trusts them, which is crucial for morale in the workplace.
Apprentices often bring fresh perspectives and ideas to a company, helping create a wider culture of learning and development in the team. Collaboration and interaction between colleagues of different levels and seniority can also help drive innovation and productivity.
In fact, government research has found that 78 per cent of businesses noted increased productivity as a result of hiring apprentices. It may seem simple, but these small changes and decisions can have a lasting impact on the direction of a business and its people.
Retaining talent
Employers who show their commitment to the learning and development of the team will attract, and retain, the best people.
We all want to work for forward-thinking businesses that understand their wider social responsibility and their role in helping people develop, and investing in apprenticeships is a perfect example of this in action.
Employees want to feel valued, and what better way to show that than investing in skills development.
Retaining top talent has never been more important for the UK workforce, with so many sectors crippled by huge staff and skills shortages. It’s not enough to hope that people will stay, and a real effort should be put into investing in the skills needed to keep our labour force at its best.
Final thoughts
There is no time to waste in supercharging our talent given how many sectors are struggling, and apprenticeships need to take centre stage to help tackle the problem.
Investing in skills training is a no brainer when it comes to developing capable, adaptable and well-equipped teams, and this is exactly what’s needed to boost our people.
Apprenticeships don’t just offer a lifechanging opportunity for those who complete the training, they provide real value for employers and teams. It’s time to take apprenticeships seriously and supercharge our workforce for good.
Chris McNamara is founder and CEO of Pathway CTM