With National Apprenticeship Week running from 5 to 11 February, it is important to remember that today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s workforce and business owners. Sarah Meek, managing director at Mates in Mind, says it is vital to arm apprentices with not only technical skills but also the ability to spot, and talk about, the signs of poor mental wellbeing in themselves and others
Research shows that approximately 35% of apprentices go on to run their own business.
Therefore, if we, as a community, want to create safer workplaces, not just now but also for the future then it is imperative that we start by supporting apprentices and new entrants in their mental wellbeing as they start their journey towards a rewarding and long career in the sector.
Why is talking about mental wellbeing important?
“My transition from education into the industry was not as smooth as I would have hoped, but that is totally OK. I battled with depression and anxiety in September 2021, and I acted on those thoughts.
Having gone through this, I now know how important it is to talk to other people. I truly know how difficult this can be, especially within the construction industry.
I genuinely believe that speaking up while in the midst of personally struggling is one of the bravest things you can do. If you are feeling anxious or struggling, please speak to somebody. This could be a friend, a loved one or a charity. I know this can be daunting but remember a problem shared is a problem halved.”
– Logan, degree apprenticeship in quantity surveying.
Apprentices face a huge learning curve while also experiencing changes in their personal lives. During the adjustment from a college environment into a workplace, they are also learning about their trade in terms of theory in the classroom, as well as throughout their practice on site.
In addition, they may have moved away from home for the first time, they will be making new friends, it could be their first time in a job, which includes learning to manage money, pay bills, undertake practical tasks like cooking, booking medical appointments and so on.
When apprentices enter the workplace, there is awareness that they are at a heightened risk in terms of their own safety and young people have been specifically mentioned in the risk category within the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. But often, the risk in regard to their mental health is not considered.
At Mates in Mind, we found that of 550 apprentices surveyed:
- 73% had felt stressed at least once in the previous week.
- Only 33% said their employer/colleague would notice signs of mental ill-health in others (the rest said no or unsure).
- 70% had NEVER taken part in any mental health training and yet 91% said they thought training would help them to manage their own mental health.
- Only 55% said they would reach out to someone if they were experiencing stress, depression or anxiety.
In addition, research found that “talking about mental health is still perceived as slightly taboo in the workplace, the most common reason, cited by two-fifths (39%) of people, was that they feel they would be judged negatively if they opened up about their mental health. 36% stated they would feel too exposed and vulnerable”.
What is the solution?
Based on the evidence above, we advocate for embedding mental wellbeing training into all apprenticeships so that together we can prepare future workers, line managers and business owners and create a legacy of wellbeing.
Our academically evaluated Let’s Talk Mental Wellbeing Programme is specifically designed with apprentices in mind.
We facilitate dedicated workshops and provide resources for students to raise awareness of mental health while also upskilling their college tutors to deliver this as an ongoing part of the curriculum.
From practical self-help to training and tutoring sessions to prepare them for entry into the industry it addresses the pressures both societal and more personal that students are facing. In these sessions, they can learn to spot the signs of declining mental health in themselves and others. And it works.
We surveyed apprentices before and after their training to evaluate distance travelled and the results can be seen in the table above.
“Good informative course I believe I will benefit from attending this session with my work and personal life.”
– Apprentice.
The course also received a 4.9 out of 5.0 recommendation rate from the college tutors delivering the course.
What can you do to promote better mental wellbeing in the workplace?
It is vital that employers and managers are aware of some factors, particularly regarding mental health, which might affect the smooth transition of apprentices from education into employment.
Therefore, to ensure that workplaces are prepared for, and best able to support, their apprentices we provide a handbook that includes the key information.
At the same time, we educate, train and support employers and all their employees, including apprentices and new entrants, across the whole workforce to ensure there is a continuous and comprehensive solution in place so that no one reaches crisis point and mental health awareness becomes everyone’s issue.
Supporting apprentices to become mentally resilient is important as it benefits the apprentice, their employer, their colleagues, and the wider local community.
For organisations, there is also an opportunity to sponsor a local college to deliver this programme, which provides benefits in terms of both Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
As a result, businesses benefit through demonstrating to stakeholders including customers, supply chains, investors and communities, as well as current and future employees, that they are a sustainable, ethical, safe and future-focused organisation.
How to get involved
If you’re interested in finding out more about how we can support you and your apprentices, please visit our website or fill in our contact us form.
If this article resonates with you and you need support, please text BEAMATE to 85258, or find a list of support services here: https://bit.ly/MinMhelp.
Through working with apprentices and new entrants to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing, instilling confidence in knowing how to spot the signs of stress, anxiety and depression not only in themselves but also in others, knowing where to seek support, and how to start and manage that difficult conversation about mental health in order to break down the stigma that surrounds it, we can build a safer workplace and culture for all employees.
Sarah Meek
Managing director
Mates in Mind
Tel: +44 (0)20 3510 5018
