Apprenticeships: from Boots to Lloyds, these are the 10 best companies to be an apprentice at

Research shows that 59 per cent of the public believe that recent moves to give apprenticeships and related schemes the same status as university degrees will lead to a general rise in their success in attracting school leavers

(RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk )

Apprenticeships can offer as much financial security as an undergraduate degree, according to new research .

But it can be difficult to choose a program. RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk compiled a list of the top 60 Employers for apprenticeships and school leaver programmes.

The survey was based on reviews from current participants on the schemes, from how valued they feel to how much they earn.

“Young people now have more opportunities than ever to make an excellent start in the world of work and they can do so in the knowledge that non-academic routes are no longer seen as the poorer cousin of traditional degrees,” said Ollie Sidwell, co-founder of RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk.

The research shows that 59 per cent of the public believe that recent moves to give apprenticeships and related schemes the same status as university degrees will lead to a general rise in their success in attracting school leavers.

These are the best ranking apprenticeships on the market:

10. BAE Systems - The company recruits over 400 apprentices each year. It is also the UK’s biggest employer of professional engineers (18,000 in total)

(BAE system)

9. National Grid - Apprenticeships and engineer training programmes at National Grid give young people a start through a mix of practical work and academic study

Electric pylons linking the Hinkley Point nuclear power station to the National Grid (Getty Images)

8. PwC – For young people interested in a career in accountancy, finance or consulting, this apprenticeship is designed to help develop business skills while completing formal training and gaining qualifications.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers is the biggest private sector employer of graduates (Rex)

7. M&G Investments - Throughout this 12-18 months apprenticeship, young people at the investment firm work towards a NVQ and industry-recognised technical certificates.

(M&G)

6. Lloyds Banking Group – The bank’s apprenticeships are aligned to personality type and career pathways. Candidate can chose between “Customer Facing”, “People Strategy” “Business Management”, “Financial Management” or “Innovation, Technology”.

Lloyds’ share price rose 6 per cent (AP)

5. Boots – The pharmacy chain offers two different programmes with a salary of up to £15,000 per annum and a benefits package including 25 days’ paid holiday (plus bank holidays) and discounts of up to 22.5 per cent on Boots own brand products.

Boots has since responded to say that the difference in pricing for eye cream and razors does not meet the company's principles (Getty Images)

4. JP. Morgan - This financial institution launched their Bournemouth-based apprenticeship scheme in September 2013, offering young people to join the bank to gain skills in a range of topics including HR, derivatives, banking operations and corporate risk.

(Getty Images)

3. Fidelity Worldwide Investment – In third place, Fidelity Worldwide Investment employs 200 people on its training schemes.

(Fidelity_Worldwide_Investment)

2. Unilever - Unilever enters the table for the first time in second place. Unilever apprenticeships combine on-the-job experience and formal training. Launched in 2012, it now offers employment to over 80 young people.

Union leaders are concerned that workers will reap a Kraft-style whirlwind despite the latter’s retreat back across the Atlantic

1. Ernst & Young - The professional services giant has over 100 young people employed on its training programmes. Maggie Stilwell, Managing Partner for Talent in the UK and Ireland, EY, said the company has invested heavily in its school-leaver programme since its launch three years ago. “A key part of that has been listening to and acting on feedback from our trainees, as well as involving them in shaping their own training and development. This not only helps us to stay competitive, but also ensures our trainees are prepared for a successful career in business." Ms Stilwell today.

(Getty Images)

The full list for the top 60 employers can be found here