SKILLS BOOTCAMPS VS APPRENTICESHIPS

If you are an employer who is exploring funded options for recruiting or upskilling staff, you will probably know that two options open to you are apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps. 

Or if you are a job seeker or professional looking for a course to develop your skills, you’ll already know that an apprenticeship is a strong choice available to you. But you may also have heard lots about Skills Bootcamps and wonder what the benefits are. 

Both apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps aim to do the same thing: develop skills for employment. As an employer or as an individual, the route to skills you choose will depend on your goal and circumstances.

What Are Skills Bootcamps?

Skills Bootcamps are intensive training programmes lasting up to 16 weeks that focus on developing specific industry skills quickly. They are suitable for unemployed people who want to develop skills that employers are looking for. They also target employed individuals seeking to improve their skills, change career paths, or move ahead in their current roles. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority offers many Skills Bootcamps [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/skillsbootcamp-courses/] in areas such as digital marketing, health and social care, construction, engineering, rail, and more.

Eligibility for Skills Bootcamps

Employers in the region who are considering Skills Bootcamps to hire or develop staff should note that candidates must be over 19 and live or work in the Liverpool City Region. They cannot have already completed another Skills Bootcamp during the same financial year, i.e., since 1st April. 

If you are an individual looking to do a course to develop your skills, these same eligibility criteria apply. Because of the age requirement, Skills Bootcamps aren’t suitable if you are a school leaver.

Skills bootcamps allow employers to upskill their workforce or recruit new talent from a pool of freshly trained candidates. In the Liverpool City Region, employers can collaborate with a skills broker to shape a bespoke Skills Bootcamp that addresses their specific organisational skills needs.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a longer and, therefore, more in-depth learning experience over a longer duration, typically between 12 to 18 months, but it can be more for higher-level apprenticeships. They provide a comprehensive training route that combines on-the-job experience with tutor-supported learning, making them ideal for those looking to develop a job-related specialism, professional behaviours, generic workplace skills, and practical work experience.

Eligibility for Apprenticeships

Unlike Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships are open to any age, from 16-year-old school leavers to those who are just a few years off retirement. There are no geographical restrictions. As with Skills Bootcamps, you can apply for an apprenticeship, whether you are unemployed or already employed, with your employer’s approval.

Again, much like employers use Skills Bootcamps, employers can use apprenticeships to recruit new talent or upskill an existing staff member.

Comparing the two

Duration and Structure

• Skills Bootcamps: Short, intense, fast-delivering skills programmes lasting up to 16 weeks.
• Apprenticeships: Longer duration, typically 12 to 18 months, allowing for deeper learning and on-the-job practice.

Skill Focus

• Skills Bootcamps: Offer targeted skill development tailored to specific industry needs.
• Apprenticeships: Provide comprehensive focussed job-related skill-building coupled with generic work skills, including teamwork and communication.

Practical Experience

• Skills Bootcamps: Limited due to shorter duration.
• Apprenticeships: Extensive on-the-job experience.

Cost Considerations

If an employer is a large employer, their apprenticeship levy covers 100% of the cost of the apprenticeship. SMEs have between 95% and 100% covered by government funding. There is no cost for individuals.

There is no cost to individuals doing Skills Bootcamps either. Employers who upskill their existing staff pay just 30% of the course cost if they are an SME or 70% if they are a large employer.

Next steps

For Employers

• Skills Bootcamps: You can work with a skills broker [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/skillsbootcamps/] to customise training, access talent pools, and interview candidates who successfully finish the skills courses.
• Apprenticeships: Register for an appointment with a Liverpool City Region skills broker[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/employer-support-brokerage-support/] to discuss using apprenticeships for recruitment or staff development.

For Individuals

• Skills Bootcamps: Check that you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do, complete our enquiry form [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/employer-support/bootcamps/], telling us which Skills Bootcamp you are interested in.
• Apprenticeships: Explore the many current apprenticeship opportunities on LCR Be More[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/apprenticeship/]. We have hundreds available.

For employers, choosing between skills bootcamps and apprenticeships depends on the immediacy of your needs and the depth and breadth of training required. For individuals, it’s about your career goals and your preferred learning pace. Both pathways offer invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth.