Marketing 'miserables' urged to take an apprenticeship

Many marketers are desperate for a fresh start – but fears about being too old, reduced income, old-school thinking and outdated myths are stopping thousands from chasing their dream job.

In fact nearly half of all UK workers (43%) are too terrified to make a career change, with 58% worried about their finances and over half doubting their skills.

Men are more likely than women to stay put, with 7 in 10 feeling like they are stuck in their current role until retirement. And while some are grinning through the grind – those in working in research, pharma and engineering – “les miserables” include those working in media and publishing, with 1 in 3 thinking about quitting this month alone.

That is according to a study of 2,000 workers and SME owners, commissioned by Nottingham Trent University, which found that a fifth of Brits feel totally unsupported when it comes to career progression, and a third have never received any career advice from their employer.

However, two-thirds of employees say they would stay put if their boss simply invested in their development.

While 45% of workers say they would consider doing an apprenticeship to retrain or move up the ladder, many are being put off by stubborn misconceptions. In fact, 1 in 4 wrongly believe they would earn significantly less than their peers – even though all apprenticeships are paid and people can now earn while they learn on an apprenticeship.

Meanwhile, a third (33%) still think apprenticeships are just for manual trades and 28% do not realise apprenticeships can lead to roles like data analytics.

Similarly, 15% still wrongly assume that apprenticeships are only for 16- to 25-year-olds, while a similar proportion (14%) think the age limit is 30 years old and 20% admit they are not sure.

But according to national apprenticeship data, the average age of an apprentice in England is now between 36 and 41 years old, completely debunking the myth that these schemes are low-paid, low-skill, and just for teens.

Even so, Britain’s firms are just as baffled, with many small and medium firms still thinking apprenticeships are just for plumbers and chippies.

In addition, 20% of businesses worry that apprentices lack real-world employability skills, and 12% just cannot get the CEO to buy into the schemes.

Meanwhile, nearly a third (31%) are scared off by massive startup costs, and the same number say the funding system’s too confusing – and they have not got a clue where to start.

But while some companies are dithering, a new wave of forward-thinkers are jumping on board, with those firms which have embraced apprenticeships calling them game-changers: some 73% of bosses report a massive boost in productivity, and 53% reckon apprenticeships are a magnet for top talent and the employees stick around better, too.

Four in ten say they have slashed long-standing skills gaps. More than half say apprentices fit their company culture better than old-school hires.

Nottingham Trent University degree apprenticeships manager David Drury said: “These figures show a clear mismatch between what the public believes and what apprenticeships actually offer. Employers are crying out for skilled staff, and apprenticeships are a proven way to train talent quickly, flexibly and affordably.

“What’s more, adults in their 30s, 40s or 50s are ideal candidates – they bring maturity, life experience and motivation. It’s not too late to change your career, and the system is built to support you.

“It’s a time for a rethink. We need to bust the myths. If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated in your career, there is a way forward – and it doesn’t mean starting from scratch. As a society we should be empowering people to follow the careers they truly want.”