Six in ten jobseekers have considered an apprenticeship to upskill

Six in ten UK jobseekers (61 per cent) have considered starting an apprenticeship to upskill or reskill, new research reveals at the start of National Apprenticeship Week. But respondents to the Opinion Matters survey cited the need for clear career pathways, flexible scheduling, and employer support to encourage them to take the plunge.

One in five (22 per cent) expressed a strong interest in starting an apprenticeship to reskill, while 68 per cent of millennial jobseekers (those aged 35-44) have considered the training route. Amongst different age groups, millennials were also most likely to be unhappy in their current job, with 78 per cent citing job dissatisfaction as the reason for seeking a new role.

The research, commissioned by the AAT, surveyed 1,000 people actively seeking employment, whether already in work (72 per cent) or currently unemployed (28 per cent). AAT qualifications underpin 8 in 10 of all England’s apprenticeships in accounting and finance at intermediate and advanced levels.

More than half of all jobseekers surveyed (52 per cent) revealed they have considered the apprenticeship route as a way into the finance industry, which had almost 1 million occupations in elevated or critical demand in 2024. This figure rises to 54 per cent for Gen-Z jobseekers aged 16-24.

“People with an appetite to learn new skills are key to addressing vacancies in the UK’s most in demand occupations, such as finance as well as addressing the gender imbalance particularly in more senior roles*” says Sarah Beale, CEO of AAT. “We can see that millions of people are interested in apprenticeships to switch careers, so what’s stopping them?”

Removing barriers to reskilling

Two in three of all respondents (43 per cent) and half of female respondents (50 per cent) surveyed by AAT said that they would be more likely to pursue an apprenticeship if “flexible hours or scheduling” was offered, for example in when and how exams could be taken. Other motivating factors included high-quality training (41 per cent), clear career pathways (36 per cent) and employer support (33 per cent).

“Training that fits around people’s busy lives is essential to unlocking their potential,” Beale says, “whether that’s the ability to fit learning around existing work or caring responsibilities, or having flexibility from an employer during peak study times.”

“The problem is that many people don’t realise how many opportunities are already available,” Beale continues. “You don’t need to go to university for three years or stop earning to start an exciting career in finance”.

New Careers Hub to connect learners with employers

To make apprenticeship opportunities and finance career information more accessible, the charity has launched AAT Careers Hub. It’s the UK’s first dedicated finance apprenticeship and jobs board, connecting would-be apprentices with hundreds of employers who have AAT apprenticeship schemes many of them straining to fill finance roles.

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, AAT is making it free for any employer to list their finance apprenticeships on the new platform.

“Employers want to support apprenticeships, but burdensome administration, constant shifts in policy and a changing qualifications landscape act as barriers,” Beale says. “The upcoming education and skills review must provide clarity and stability in the system. In the meantime, we’re offering a simpler way to connect with talent which avoids the clutter of mainstream job websites.”

AAT is also providing free resources via the platform to make finance career pathways clearer, offering early career tips and guidance on interviewing and how to apply for a first apprenticeship. For more information and financial apprenticeship opportunities visit: jobs.aat.org.uk