How many times have you heard, “Apprenticeships are for people who don't do well at school” or “Apprenticeships don't offer the same job opportunities as degrees”? Due to the nature of apprenticeships in the past, which had a reputation for low pay and menial work, many people have views of the career path which don’t accurately reflect reality in 2025. Let’s fix that.
We’ve called on Bucks Skills Hub’s ASK Manager, Rob, to help us bust some of the common myths surrounding apprenticeships, and the brilliant opportunity to gain experience with real-world relevance the path offers, to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed choices about the future. Over to you, Rob.
“Apprenticeships are only for manual work”
Historically, apprenticeships were focused on manual professions like Chef, Builder or Hairdresser. Whilst this is still a fantastic route into these roles, there are also hundreds of new apprenticeships available in other occupational areas, such as Visual Effects Artist, Paralegal, Architect and Cyber Security Engineer. The range of businesses offering apprenticeships is equally exciting, with huge brands including Sky, Specsavers, Jaguar, Amazon and ASOS employing apprentices today.
“Apprenticeships aren't real jobs”
Another common myth is that apprenticeships aren’t real jobs and apprentices just perform menial tasks, but the opposite is true. All apprentices work from day one, building the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the role. We bet you didn’t know that apprentices contributed to some of the most poignant projects of the last few years, including the COVID-19 vaccine and football’s goal-line technology. An apprentice even filmed the final interview with Theresa May in Downing Street.
“Apprenticeships are the easy route”
We often hear statements like “apprenticeships are easy” or “apprenticeships are for people who don’t go to university”, when there are actually four different levels of apprenticeships – Intermediate, Advanced, Higher and Degree – and the latter two provide the apprentice with a qualification equivalent to a university graduate. Not only that, but higher and degree apprenticeships offer all the benefits of higher education without the cost, which is why they accounted for nearly half (47%) of all apprenticeship starters in 2022/23.
“Apprentices don’t get to have fun or meet other young people”
Wrong! Depending on the size of the company, an apprentice may find themselves working with lots of other young people, or they may meet them through their apprenticeship training. Lots of employers and training providers also try to offer ways for apprentices to connect with each other through social events, team activities and networks. Apprentice networks like the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network can similarly provide opportunities to meet with hundreds of other apprentices.
“Employers don’t offer jobs to apprentices at the end of the course”
If you’re worried about opportunities for progression once an apprenticeship has completed, don’t be. Not only do apprentices earn while they learn, but they’re likely to step straight into a full-time position immediately. In fact, a whopping 93% of apprentice completers are in employment after their course and, what’s more, two thirds received a pay rise and two fifths received a promotion. Result!
