Why tech startups should offer young people apprenticeships

After A Level results day last week, GCSE results day is upon us tomorrow and bright young people across the UK will be thinking about what’s next for them.

A career in technology should be at the top of the list for many — it’s dynamic, exciting and the possi­bil­ities are endless. Never­theless, more and more younger gener­a­tions are turning away from technology.

This change is worrying. We are already facing a crippling skills shortage Half of UK IT companies are strug­gling to fill key roles and AI progress is stalled by a shortage of skilled workers. And as young people’s interest wanes, this crisis risks deepening and Britain falling further behind in techno­logical innovation.

To close our skills gap, we need to make technical careers more attractive and acces­sible. The solution? Training. University degrees have long been considered a “golden ticket” to a career in technology, but Rising fees and fear of debt are deterring students. Appren­tice­ships are a potential antidote; offers a practical and compre­hensive alter­native.

Of course, every path is different and a university degree will remain the preferred route for many. But with technology advancing faster than ever, a three-year degree risks becoming obsolete before you even start work. Looking back on my profes­sional career, if I were to start working in the industry today, I would have no hesitation in choosing training despite my studies.

Mutual gain

Appren­tice­ships are a win-win situation for both fast-growing technology companies and trainees. Unlike larger, more rigid organi­za­tions, start-up and scale-up companies offer trainees the oppor­tunity to make an impact and drive growth from the start of their careers. This fits perfectly with the practical nature of the training and allows trainees to see the tangible impact of their work as they grow with the company.

On a practical level, appren­tice­ships open doors for those who would otherwise be excluded from careers in technology due to high tuition fees or other barriers. They are aimed not only at school leavers, but also at those starting out or returning to work as parents. By offering an alter­native path, appren­tice­ships make tech careers more acces­sible and inclusive, bringing new perspec­tives and innov­ative ideas that are invaluable to startups. You combine theory with real-world practice, so you end up with both knowledge and experience.

In startups, trainees are encouraged to think creatively and question estab­lished norms. This culture of innovation and entre­pre­neurship gives them the confi­dence to contribute their ideas and prepares them for long-term success in their careers.

Take part in our training program Aiimi as a typical example. It runs alongside our university graduate program and is part of our wider career entry programme, with both programs bringing diverse thinking to our organ­i­sation. Through training, we have welcomed new team members from all walks of life – warehouse workers, school leavers and more. Each individual has brought unique insights and creativity and enriched our organi­zation at all levels. And I’m partic­u­larly proud that every single trainee who joined the team is still with us today, highlighting the long-term value of investing in their devel­opment.

Change of perspective

Despite the well-documented benefits of appren­tice­ships for both companies and partic­i­pants, they are still too often viewed as inferior to university degrees. This perception needs to change. For young people, choosing training over university is not a compromise; It’s a smart, practical choice that offers real-world experience and career oppor­tu­nities. For technology employers, hiring appren­tices does not mean “lowering standards.” It is a forward-looking investment in the future of your organi­za­tions.

To address these outdated views, we must lead the way. Labor has pledged to address falling apprentice numbers by expanding oppor­tu­nities for “high-level technical skills,” but the respon­si­bility does not lie solely with the government. It is also up to us to drive change at the grass­roots level.

It was an incredibly effective strategy for us Collab­o­ration with educa­tional insti­tu­tions. By working closely with schools, we were able to connect directly with young talent and show them the career oppor­tu­nities available to them. We even success­fully recruited two outstanding appren­tices directly from a nearby college in Milton Keynes, demon­strating how this collab­o­ration is making a tangible difference at a local level and helping to close the skills gap from the ground up.

Technology startups can benefit enormously from offering appren­tice­ships. These programs not only address the critical skills gap, but also bring diverse, innov­ative talent into the industry. By providing hands-on experience and real respon­si­bility, startups can help shape the next gener­ation of technology profes­sionals while reaping the countless benefits for their organi­za­tions. Furthermore, it makes perfect sense for employers who already pay the training levy to reinvest these funds into devel­oping their own talent pipeline.

Think about your own career — I’m sure you would have jumped at the chance to train at your startup if you had just started today. As founders and leaders, it is our respon­si­bility to pave paths for emerging talent by creating these oppor­tu­nities now.