Anchor Trust ranked top of RateMyApprenticeship Top 100 Employers

RateMyApprenticeship announces that Anchor Trust, England’s largest not-for-profit housing association, has been ranked the best apprentice employer in the UK in their Top 100 Employers table. In its fourth year, the Top 100 Employers table takes into account reviews from over 4,000 apprentices from a variety of schemes, including apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, gap year programmes and work experience opportunities.

Despite having never appeared in the table prior to 2017, Anchor Trust took top spot, scoring an impressive 9.23 out of 10, with the national average being 8.33. The not-for-profit organisation was praised by apprentices for the rewarding work and high level of “support at every corner”.

Katie Rankin, Qualifications & Apprenticeships Manager at Anchor Trust, said:

“We’re incredibly honoured to be voted the number one employer of apprentices through RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk, especially as it is our apprentices’ feedback which has got us here. At Anchor we’re passionate about developing future talent, giving young people the opportunity to gain new skills and make a real difference to older people’s lives.  We’re extremely proud of all of our apprentices; they inspire us and make us proud every day.”

The top 10 saw three new entries this year, with Anchor Trust, construction company Mace (3) and engine manufacturer Cummins (7) appearing for the first time. BAE Systems came in second having climbed two places, with RBS rising 12 places into fourth. Leonardo remained fifth.

Ollie Sidwell, Co-founder of RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk, said:

“The Top 100 Employers table shows the diversity of options open to school leavers. With so many high scoring new entries and a wide array of sectors, it’s great to see the variety of options companies offer to young people who are seriously considering their alternatives to university.

“These results show how apprentices can experience the world of work with great rewards on offer. The reviews are also incredibly valuable in paving the way for companies to develop and improve their schemes to get the most out of young people.”

Superdrug ranked top in two regions for their schemes, in the West Midlands and East of England. Mace placed top in Central and Greater London, with apprentices rating GSK top in the South East and J.P. Morgan placing first in the South West.

In Wales, Lloyds Banking Group were rated the best apprentice employer, while BAE systems topped the table in Yorkshire & the Humber and Centrica British Gas were favoured in the East Midlands. Cummins were ranked first in the North East, the National Grid in the North West and Law firm Pinsent Masons came top for apprentices in Scotland. PwC were the top apprentice employer in Northern Ireland.

Note About the Top 100

Over 4,000 reviews make up RateMyApprenticeship’s Top 100 Employers Table. The reviews that form the basis of the Top 100 ranking encourage apprentices to rate their experiences constructively based on 10 questions covering: amount of responsibility given, how valued they felt, support they were given, the scheme’s structure, their salary/package and their day to day roles.