MoD named largest employer of apprentices in the UK

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been recognised as the single largest employer of apprentices in the UK, with more than 20,000 apprentices in training at any one time.

The sector offers apprenticeships across a range of trades including engineering, construction, hospitality and animal care. Figures also show that the British Army has around 17,000 apprentices undergoing training in one of 43 different trades. 95 per cent of new soldiers are enrolled onto a trade related apprenticeship during their training.

The RAF was a finalist in the recent Macro Employer category of the 2016 Apprenticeships4England Awards. Furthermore, the Royal Navy has recruited around 2,500 apprentices each year, with all apprentices given the opportunity to achieve intermediate and advanced apprenticeships through their career.

Commenting on the opportunity, Zac Carroll, a former Sea Cadet, said: “I have been in the Royal Navy 10 months and overall it has the best apprenticeship scheme I have heard of. It offers ways of learning the full course even if you have missed something, you are taught by great people and this is the best line of work.

“I may not have finished my training yet but I would do all it again if I had to. I went from flipping burgers to reaching my full potential and will one day be able to fix a nuclear submarine.”