Apprenticeships gaining ground as degrees lose favour with small employers

A new research report from business development consultancy Sandler Training has revealed that three out of four small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) believe that a degree is not worth as much as it was 10 years ago when it comes to finding a job. 

The company surveyed 1,000 SMEs and found that academic qualifications are now considered less important than practical skills, as small employers prefer to employ apprentices with “hard skills” over university graduates. The survey reported that SMEs forecast that they would be employing 20% more apprentices in five years’ time, compared with only a 7% increase in graduates.

Chief executive of Sandler Training UK, Shaun Thompson said: “Following the economic downturn it really has been an employer’s market. Employers have been far more focused on what skills new recruits can bring to the table. This is especially true with small businesses, when a poor recruit can have a bigger impact. Unfortunately this onus on skills has been on ‘hard skills’ – which is why we believe the value of a degree is falling.”