The information technology (IT) sector has always been in flux. New programming languages appear, frameworks evolve, and technologies that were dominant just a few years ago quickly become outdated. Today, the arrival of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) is sparking a new round of debate: is IT as a profession dying, or is it simply transforming?
While the pessimists predict widespread job losses and the decline of traditional IT roles, there is another side to the story. The future of IT may not rest solely in conventional pathways like university degrees, but rather in apprenticeships — practical, work-integrated training programmes that combine study with hands-on experience. Apprenticeships offer a bridge between industry demand and individual learning, creating a new model for producing skilled IT professionals ready to meet the challenges of automation, AI, and digital transformation.
This blog will explore how apprenticeships benefit individuals, businesses, and the IT sector as a whole, why they can be a better option than the traditional university route, and how they are essential for keeping IT alive and relevant in an AI-driven future.
One of the most important parts of any apprenticeship journey is the support you receive from your employer. Apprenticeships are designed to help people grow both professionally and academically, but that growth only truly happens when an organisation invests time, guidance, and trust in its learners. A supportive employer ensures apprentices are given meaningful work, clear goals, and access to mentors who can help them turn theory into practice. Having that encouragement makes a huge difference — it builds confidence, helps apprentices develop real independence, and allows them to see the value they’re adding to the business. In turn, companies benefit from highly motivated individuals who understand their systems and culture from the ground up. With the right support in place, apprenticeships don’t just create skilled employees; they develop future leaders who are ready to drive innovation and shape the next chapter of IT.
What is an Apprenticeship in IT?
An apprenticeship is a structured programme that allows learners to earn while they learn. Instead of paying thousands in tuition fees and waiting years to apply their knowledge, apprentices split their time between studying (often at degree level) and working in a real business environment.
In IT, this could mean spending part of the week in lectures or completing coursework, and the rest of the week working on live projects: analysing data, maintaining systems, coding applications, or supporting digital transformation initiatives. Apprenticeships give people the chance to develop practical skills and industry context alongside their theoretical knowledge, which is something many university graduates struggle to gain until after graduation.
Why Apprenticeships Can Be Better Than University
1. Financial Advantage
One of the biggest barriers to university is cost. Traditional degrees often leave students with tens of thousands of pounds in debt. Apprentices, on the other hand, are paid employees. Their tuition fees are typically covered by their employer and government funding, meaning they graduate debt-free while already earning a salary.2. Workplace Experience from Day One
Universities provide strong academic grounding but often lack practical exposure. Apprenticeships flip this model by embedding learners in real projects from the start. Instead of simulations, apprentices deal with live systems, client needs, and industry deadlines. By the time they finish, they have years of professional experience — something that sets them apart in the job market.3. Tailored Learning to Industry Needs
Universities can sometimes lag in the rapid pace of technological change. Apprenticeships, by contrast, are designed in collaboration with employers and training providers, ensuring that apprentices learn the tools, languages, and frameworks currently in demand. This keeps their skills relevant and up to date.4. Faster Career Progression
Graduates often start at entry-level positions and work their way up, competing with many others who also hold degrees. Apprentices, however, already have proven experience and networks within their company. This often leads to faster promotions and a smoother path into specialised or leadership roles.5. Accessibility and Inclusion
Apprenticeships lower the barrier to entry into IT. Not everyone can afford or access traditional higher education, but apprenticeships open the door for people from diverse backgrounds. This inclusivity strengthens the IT workforce by bringing in a wider range of perspectives, which is crucial for building technology that serves everyone fairly.How Apprenticeships Future-Proof IT
With AI advancing rapidly, many fear that IT roles will become obsolete. Automation can now generate code, test software, and even manage infrastructure tasks. However, these developments do not signal the death of IT. Instead, they mark a shift in the skills required. Apprenticeships are uniquely positioned to prepare people for this new landscape.
1. Blending Human Judgment with Automation
AI can write code, but it cannot fully understand business goals, ethical implications, or the nuances of user needs. Apprenticeships teach not only technical skills but also critical thinking, stakeholder communication, and ethical responsibility. These are the skills that ensure AI is implemented responsibly and effectively.
2. Rapid Skill Development in Emerging Technologies
IT changes too quickly for universities to keep pace. Apprenticeships allow learners to work directly with the latest technologies in real-world environments. For example, while AI tools may handle routine tasks, apprentices can focus on learning how to design, monitor, and govern AI systems — roles that will be increasingly vital.
3. Building Adaptable Professionals
The IT professionals of the future won’t succeed by memorising programming syntax; they’ll thrive by adapting to new tools and approaches. Apprenticeships create adaptability by exposing learners to varied projects, problem-solving scenarios, and shifting priorities. This builds resilience in a way that classroom-only learning cannot.
4. Filling the Talent Gap
Even with AI, businesses still need skilled IT workers. In fact, the rise of AI has created a new demand for roles in data governance, cybersecurity, system integration, and ethical AI design. Apprenticeships provide a steady pipeline of talent who are already trained in the latest challenges, ensuring businesses aren’t left behind.
5. Strengthening IT Culture
Apprentices bring curiosity, fresh perspectives, and a willingness to question assumptions. Their presence encourages knowledge sharing, documentation, and good practices within teams. This doesn’t just improve today’s work; it helps cultivate the collaborative and ethical culture IT will need as it evolves with AI.
IT Is Not Dying — It’s Transforming
The idea that IT is a “dying” profession is misleading. What is dying are the old versions of IT jobs that are purely repetitive and manual. AI will indeed automate tasks like routine code generation, server patching, or data entry. But this doesn’t eliminate the need for IT professionals — it shifts the focus toward higher-value work.
Future IT roles will revolve around:
- AI oversight and governance: ensuring models are accurate, fair, and explainable.
- Cybersecurity: defending increasingly complex systems against evolving threats.
- Systems integration: connecting AI with legacy systems and real-world infrastructure.
- Human-centred design: making sure technology serves people effectively.
- Ethics and regulation: shaping policies around privacy, transparency, and responsible use of AI.
Apprenticeships prepare people for these areas by teaching them to learn in context, collaborate with industry experts, and develop practical solutions. Far from letting IT die, apprenticeships are revitalising the profession by creating a new generation of professionals who can work with — not against — AI.
A Better Model for the Future
Apprenticeships don’t just benefit individual learners; they strengthen the entire IT ecosystem.
- For businesses, they provide a sustainable way to grow talent tailored to their needs. Instead of competing for a shrinking pool of graduates, companies can nurture apprentices into skilled professionals who already understand their systems and culture.
- For individuals, they provide a financially accessible pathway into IT, with faster progression and debt-free education.
- For individuals, they provide a financially accessible pathway into IT, with faster progression and debt-free education.
By embedding continuous learning into the workplace, apprenticeships also model how the entire industry should approach the future: not as a threat, but as an opportunity to evolve.
Conclusion
The IT profession is not dying — it is changing shape. As AI takes over repetitive tasks, the need for skilled, adaptable, and ethically minded professionals has never been greater. Apprenticeships are the key to developing these professionals.
They offer an alternative to university that is financially smarter, more practical, and better aligned with industry needs. They widen access to IT careers, foster adaptability, and prepare individuals to work alongside AI rather than be replaced by it.
In the coming years, the companies that thrive will be those that embrace apprenticeships, not just as a way of filling roles, but as a strategic investment in the future of IT. Apprenticeships ensure that IT doesn’t fade away under the shadow of automation — they guarantee it continues to grow, evolve, and lead innovation in the digital age.
Ethan Cobley
Ethan Cobley is a 19-year-old degree apprentice with SplashBI. Blending study with hands-on industry experience, he is passionate about technology, problem-solving, and continuous learning. Ethan’s journey shows how apprenticeships open doors to growth and innovation, and he is driven to build skills that make a real impact in the tech world.
