The challenge of staff retention and recruitment

The UK is facing a challenge when it comes to businesses' staff retention and keeping skilled workers with over half of surveyed HR professionals in Ciphr HR’s survey reporting that retention was their biggest challenge in 2024. Of the industries surveyed, engineering, manufacturing and information technology are amongst the top of those experiencing worries around staff retention.

Recruitment of enough qualified employees to meet skills gaps is also a concern with 45% of those surveyed citing that as a key issue for their organisation, particularly amongst SMEs who struggle to recruit skilled staff.*

That’s where Degree Apprenticeships come in. They offer a tool to retain top-quality talent and support recruitment of skilled staff without the cost of traditional training.

*Ciphr HR Survey 2024

The power of Degree Apprenticeships for retention and recruitment

75% of employers who supported an existing member of staff to upskill via an apprenticeship reported that it improved staff retention within their organisation. Plus,  77% of those employers whose apprentices were on higher level apprenticeships (4-7) reported that they chose to retain them once they had completed their programme than on lower-level apprenticeships. And, those who had completer apprentices in engineering reported retaining more apprentices than in other sectors.**

By accessing an apprenticeship to develop your people, you’re investing in their development showing that they are valued members of staff which can increase their loyalty to your organisation. And, by choosing a higher level apprenticeship, for example a Degree Apprenticeship, you're more likely to retain top talent. 

And as for recruitment, did you know that 69% of employers specifically recruited apprentices to start an apprenticeship to develop specific skills within their organisation? Apprenticeships have become a popular choice to meet growing skills needs within organisations with 12% of employers with apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship programme saying that they offer apprenticeships to recruit new people into the business. **

This shows the tangible impact of apprenticeships when it comes to improving staff retention and attracting talent as part of your wider workforce development.

Keep talent and skills within your organisation

Degree Apprenticeships aren’t just to fill short-term skills gaps, rather they act as a vehicle to develop talented individuals into valuable members of your organisation.

84% of employers accessing apprenticeships would recommend an apprenticeship to other employers as they have seen significant benefits for their business. The most common benefits reported were the development of skills relevant to the organisation and increased productivity amongst their employees. **

Choosing a Degree Apprenticeship offers your employees a chance at career progression without the price of traditional training and boosts their engagement within your business. Apprentices gain hands-on, practical experience in the workplace whilst studying towards their degree, allowing them to apply their learning and new ideas directly to your organisation.

That's where our Degree Apprenticeships come in, designed to support your business in developing the skills you need to harness your potential. From engineering to data science to healthcare to teaching, we've got a complement of programmes to aid you with your workforce development - all delivered by Top 20 university in the UK.***

Discover our Degree Apprenticeships

** Employers surveyed on year after their apprentices had completed their programme as part of the Apprenticeship Evaluation Employer Survey, September 2024.

***QS University World Rankings 2025

Boost your staff retention today

The evidence is clear: apprenticeships offer a strong pathway to staff retention and attracting top talent whilst developing skills needed within your business. By investing in your people, you’ll create a loyal, engaged and skilled workforce who make a difference by filling critical skills gaps and bringing fresh ideas to your business.

Explore how our Degree Apprenticeships can make a real difference.