A NEW survey shows businesses in Warrington have nearly a fifth of former apprentices working in senior management positions.

The findings, released to launch the third annual City & Guilds Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, shows just how far apprentices can go Twenty six per cent of all employers in the north west said apprentices go onto various management positions in their company.

The north west is the third highest region in the country to say they have former apprentices working in senior management.

Chris Jones, chief executive and director general of City and Guilds, said: “Apprenticeships provide employers with the workforce of the future.

“Through apprenticeships, employers gain the talented, skilled individuals they need boost productivity and growth,”

“We partner with employers of varying sizes and industries on their apprenticeship programmes.

“All of them have seen the benefits apprenticeships can offer. Apprentices add value from day one not just through their skills, but through their enthusiasm and drive.”

City & Guilds Top 100 Apprenticeship employer, Damian Brown, from BT explains why so many former apprentices make the move into management.

He said: “Through learning on the job, apprentices develop skills which are directly relevant to how our business works.

“They know the organisation inside out, which brings huge benefits when making business decisions and managing people.

“This is why so many employers, including BT have entrusted senior management positions to former apprentices.”

And skills minister Matthew Hancock added: “"As we can see from this research, today’s apprentice could be tomorrow’s board director. Nearly every employer that takes on an apprentice (96 per cent) reports benefits to their business and the calibre of the companies included in this year’s Top 100 list just goes to show the breadth of employers who are now embracing Apprenticeships.

“Either going to university or choosing an apprenticeship needs to become the new norm for school and college leavers. These figures support this aim and show that apprentices are able to succeed in some of the biggest businesses in the UK."