07 Mar RESEARCH: Executives think industries should emulate sport when it comes to nurturing young talent
If you’re a truly skilled sportsperson, there’s a chance you’ll be scouted before you’ve finished school. Within sports, it’s a common practice often resulting in the top professionals having started their ‘sports apprenticeship’ as young as six or seven.
However, if you show an early aptitude for the workplace, the same opportunities aren’t available to you at earlier ages. Why, exactly, can’t the young potential stars of industry be granted that helping hand at younger age to set them up for the career they’re already showing a passion for?
In fact, new research commissioned by Arch Apprentices, suggests this is the real-world scenario that the vast majority (86%) of those in senior management positions would openly welcome. 57% of those surveyed suggested the potential of supporting skilled young people within their industry would help nurture a new, bigger wave of talent that would have industry-wide benefits.
This also provides an opportunity for young people to reach their professional peak earlier than ever before. The research showed that in 2018 the average board member is just 44 years old, falling to just 37 in advertising and creative industries. In fact, some of the UK’s most dynamic digital businesses from Deliveroo to Brewdog boast leaders under the age of 40.
Furthermore, 36% say they feel they perhaps should have started their career earlier to have afforded themselves a better opportunity and be further along their chosen path. Apprenticeships, 88% agree, are a good way for businesses to source and train skilled individuals.
