Perceptions about the amount of work involved for employers and a lack of business incentives are the main reasons holding back businesses from taking on school leaver apprentices, a new study has found.

A quarter (25%) of businesses are missing out on a significant talent pool by not offering apprenticeship programmes for young people joining the workforce straight from school, according to a study commissioned by Grant Thornton UK LLP. 

The study, to coincide with this week’s National Apprenticeship Week, also found that a lack of clarity about the benefits school leaver apprentices would bring is another main factor stalling take-up by business.

One in four of the 605 senior decision-makers in medium-sized business surveyed said they are put off by the apprenticeship system because it is “too complex”. 

Business benefits 

However, three-quarters of the businesses surveyed that already recruit school leaver apprentices said they plan to recruit more in the next five years. They cited the main benefits as providing access to a talented pool of employees ready for progression opportunities, the ability to reach a more diverse talent pool, and the ability to train them to meet the skills needs of the business. 

The apprenticeship route is growing in popularity, with the latest ONS data for the 2024/25 academic year showing that higher apprenticeship starts increased by 8%, compared with the same period the previous year.

Meanwhile, research published by Grant Thornton last August also found that parents are more likely to encourage their child to apply for a school leaver apprenticeship (44%) than for university (40%). The main reasons they cited are to gain practical on-the-job experience, to get paid while gaining a certified qualification and to avoid student debt. 

Valuable alternative to university

Richard Waite, People and Culture Director and Head of Talent and Recruitment at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said the ability for young people to start work straight away and earn a salary through an apprenticeship, while also studying towards a qualification, offered a valuable alternative route to university. 

“While a school leaver apprenticeship offers many benefits to the individual, it also opens up a significant new talent pool for employers. Businesses that don’t explore this route may be missing out on talented individuals who are eager to learn and progress, and able to bring in diverse views and ways of thinking to the organisation. 

“An apprenticeship programme also allows the employer to provide skills development that directly supports their business’ and wider market needs, developing a strong future talent pool.”

The apprentices view

Grant Thornton was named one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in England in 2024 by the Department for Education. Over the past four years the firm has welcomed more than 550 school leavers on to its trainee apprenticeship programme.

Chelsey Small joined Grant Thornton as a school leaver apprentice in 2017 and is now a fully qualified corporate tax manager at the firm. “My initial plan was to study economics at university, but I realised that the universities I wanted to attend required a maths A-level, which I didn’t have.” 

Small says she was drawn to the opportunity to gain work experience and professional qualifications right away. “After completing work experience in both audit and tax, I knew that tax was the right path for me and that an apprenticeship would allow me to start building my career immediately.  

“My advice to anyone starting their career is to be super curious – get involved in as much as you can, even if it’s something completely new to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; there’s always someone willing to help.”