Apprentices are reporting more positive experiences with small and medium sized employers (SMEs), an influential national survey of apprenticeship experiences has revealed. 

The findings form part of a new report from the Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education, setting out the learning and assessment experiences of more than 2,000 apprentices. 

More than nine out of ten (92%) ​of respondents felt the employer-defined knowledge, skills, and behaviours they are required to learn through their apprenticeship would equip them to succeed in the future, while eight out of ten (80%) said they felt empowered to have successful careers in their industry. 

Taking a closer look at experiences with SMEs, it emerged that: 

• 75% of apprentices working in an SME said they had a manageable workload compared with 68% overall. 
• 82% of apprentices at SMEs said they felt their employers would be willing to make adjustments to meet their individual needs, compared with 78% overall. 
• 78% of apprentices working in an SME said their training provider was supporting their wellbeing compared to 70% overall. 
• On induction to the apprenticeship, 90% of SME apprentices thought their employer induction was useful compared with 85% overall.
• 64% of apprentices working in an SME were positive about how successfully their employers and training providers worked together, compared with 53% overall. 

Apprentices were also asked about the type of training they received, in the context of society opening out again from COVID 19. 81% of respondents overall said they would ideally like at least half of their training to be face-to-face (rather than online). ​60% reported receiving that much training in person.​ 

Commenting on the results, Kimberly Murphy, apprenticeship and skills manager at ACE said: “This is a great story for SMEs and proof that positive apprenticeship experiences are not exclusively reserved for large employers. The survey results clearly demonstrate that – for the right people – working for an SME can be extremely rewarding.” 

SME employers within the ACE membership base looking for support and advice are encouraged to explore the FAQ on the website.