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Choosing Apprenticeships

Alan Sugar might have had the right idea when on his search to find ‘The Apprentice’…learning on the job has a shed load of benefits to offer individuals pursuing Apprenticeships...ok, you’re probably not going to land yourself a six-figure salary job straight away like Alan’s contestants but by doing an Apprenticeship you will at least be earning and learning from the start.

Getting paid while you learn might sound too good to be true — but as an apprentice you really do get the best of both worlds. If you’re dedicated and can commit yourself to training and studying, then an apprenticeship could really suit you. Dedication is essential as training can often take anything between 1 and 5 years.

Apprenticeships are becoming more and more popular. Currently, there are more than 250,000 Apprentices in England alone, training in over 200 different types of Apprenticeship! This gives you an idea of how vast your choices are. Apprenticeships can be carried out in anything from Construction to Hairdressing and Animal Care to Finance so there really is something to suit all tastes…believe it or not you can even do an Apprenticeship in Football! For more information on all the choices on offer visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/list/apprenticeshipsdirectory/

Due to the high demand for many of the Apprenticeships on offer, it probably comes as no surprise that there can be a lot of competition in getting a place – firstly in terms of finding a place on the relevant course and also in terms of finding an employer who is willing to take you on. Entry requirements for Apprenticeships are flexible because they aren't based on academic qualifications alone, practical skills count and your interest in the area of work you’ve chosen. Employers value keenness to work and a passion to learn new skills. It is always worth contacting companies directly to get some work experience. It will improve your chances of being accepted, as well as giving you the opportunity to find out more about the area of work you’re interested in.

To do well on an Apprenticeship, you’ll have to show you’re serious, committed, and aware of your responsibilities. You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and be able to use your own initiative. Apprenticeships can be hard work, but they can also be extremely rewarding.

• Apprenticeships allow you to earn money while you are gaining a qualification.

• Apprenticeships include an NVQ, which is highly valued and recognised by employers.

• Apprenticeships incorporate key skills that will be useful in the job market, such as problem solving, working in teams and communication.

• Apprenticeships can be used as a stepping-stone to college and university, as well as to progress further in your chosen career.

Apprenticeships offer a structured route to a career path, with learning and performance continually monitored. Trainees are in regular contact with their employer, and as a result a lot of assessment happens verbally through day-to-day conversation. Self-assessment is a key part of many programmes too, and both written and practical tests feature regularly.

Fast Facts!

• Famous chef Jamie Oliver started his career as an Apprentice, and now he is thought to be worth around £25m! When Jamie turned 16, he decided to receive formal culinary training and entered Westminster Catering College; afterwards he began his apprenticeship under some of the best chefs in London.

• Average Apprenticeship take home pay is around £137 per week (Source: Connexions). Wages do vary across the sectors though; Electro-technical Apprentices seem to score the best with an average weekly pay packet of £183.

• At any one time, over 130,000 employers are training apprentices and providing a wealth of opportunities for young people.

• There are over 200 Apprenticeships in approximately 80 different sectors and industries – some of the more unusual ones include Numismatics (the study of coins and metals) and even Sea Fishing!

For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or speak to your Careers Advisor.