The number of apprenticeships within the consultancy sector has risen dramatically in the last year, a new study has revealed.
The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) has released figures in its 2023 industry report, which show the number of apprenticeships its member-firms offer has significantly increased with 1,675 apprentices currently enrolled in programmes.
This figure has soared from 795 in 2022, as nearly 1,000 more apprentices, school leavers and trainees join consultancy firms compared to 2020, showcasing the opportunities within the consultancy sector.
The MCA, the trade association for management consultancy firms in the UK, shed light on the latest data surrounding consultancy apprenticeships in line with National Apprenticeship Week 2024, an event in the UK earlier this month.
This year’s National Apprenticeship Week 2024 was “Skills for Life”, aiming to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future-proof skills.
The consulting industry offers opportunities for young professionals to hone their knowledge, and skill sets, whether they have just left school or are progressing from higher education.
Tamzen Isacsson, CEO of the Management Consultancies Association, said: “The consulting industry is continuing its drive to recruit diverse young talent from across the UK irrespective of whether they have a traditional degree or not and it’s encouraging to see the number of apprenticeship schemes increasing.
“As client demand continues to drive growth, the industry remains an attractive career option with world class training and development as well as professional recognition with the Chartered Management Consultant Accreditation (ChMC).”
The study also reveals the consulting industry remains more accessible to talent from diverse backgrounds. The portion of young consultants who attended a Russell Group university is now 35 per cent, compared to 73 per cent in 2011.
Simultaneously, just five per cent of joiners were graduates from Oxbridge, compared to seven per cent who said they did not attend university at all – boosting the social-mobility credentials of the sector.
Gurmeet Chopra focusses on sourcing talent for the consultancy sector within Acre’s Sustainable Business team, and recently revealed the top three soft skills in the consultancy sustainability space.
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