Why Employers Must Step Forward to Champion Apprenticeships

By Antony Grace, Director, ASH Integrated Services and Wigan Vice President, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Across the engineering and construction sectors, one challenge continues to dominate conversations between employers: the skills gap.

Demand for mechanical and electrical engineering expertise is growing rapidly as buildings become more complex, more connected, and more energy efficient. At the same time, a significant portion of the workforce that built today’s infrastructure is approaching retirement.

If we want a capable workforce ten years from now, the answer cannot simply be to talk about the problem. Employers need to be part of the solution.

That is why I recently joined the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, a national movement of employers and former apprentices working to raise awareness of apprenticeship pathways and encourage more young people into skilled professions.

The network brings together people who have experienced apprenticeships first-hand and want to share those stories with the next generation.

Apprenticeships Are Not an Alternative Route

For too long, apprenticeships have been framed as an alternative to academic education. In reality, they are one of the most effective ways to build skilled professionals.

Apprenticeships combine structured learning with practical experience. Individuals earn while they learn, gain real-world capability from the start, and develop into professionals who understand how their industry actually works.

For sectors like engineering and building services, that practical understanding is invaluable.

I began my own career on the tools more than 30 years ago, and that hands-on experience still shapes how I approach projects and decision-making today.

Industry Must Help Shape Training

One of the most important discussions at my first Apprenticeship Ambassador roundtable centred around how employers and educators can work more closely together.

Training providers and colleges play a crucial role, but they cannot design programmes in isolation.

“Colleges and training providers can’t guess what businesses need,” I explained during the session. “Industry input ensures apprentices gain the practical, work-ready skills that reflect modern building services and emerging technologies.”

As engineering evolves, so must the way we train future professionals.

Renewable technologies, smart building systems, data infrastructure, and advanced controls are now part of everyday engineering. Apprentices entering the workforce today need exposure to these technologies from the beginning.

A Responsibility for Employers

Becoming an Apprentice Ambassador is about encouraging more employers to engage directly with the skills agenda.

Businesses can support apprenticeships in many ways: offering placements, mentoring apprentices, working with schools and colleges, or simply sharing honest insights into their industry.

Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, have an important role to play.

These companies often provide the hands-on training environments where apprentices gain the most practical experience.

If more employers step forward, the impact can be significant.

Investing in the Future Workforce

At ASH Integrated Services, apprenticeships form part of our long-term strategy. We actively support apprentices within the business and continue to invest in mentoring, training, and career development.

However, the responsibility does not stop at our own workforce.

The future of engineering depends on the decisions employers make today. By supporting apprenticeships, sharing knowledge, and engaging with education providers, businesses can help ensure the next generation of engineers is ready for the challenges ahead.

Apprenticeships are the way we safeguard the future of our industries.

And that is a responsibility we all share.