What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid. You are an employee with an employment contract and holiday leave. By the end of the apprenticeship, you will have the right skills and knowledge required for your chosen career.
Benefits of Apprenticeships
From gaining invaluable new skills to earning your first paycheck, there are many benefits to taking part in an apprenticeship. Let’s look at the benefits of apprenticeships for employees in more detail:
1. Gain hands-on experience.
As you will be working as part of a team of experienced professionals for the majority of your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to develop your skill set and benefit from practical experience. Most importantly, you will be able to learn from your colleagues every day and support your professional development.
“I believe that doing this apprenticeship has helped me in ways that a standard degree wouldn’t. I have been able to understand the implementation of topics we do in the classroom, instead of only being told that things are done a certain way by a lecturer, I am able to see in the workplace why it is done this way.
I think being able to learn and work at the same time gives you a deeper understanding of what you are taught. Having a practical aspect is an advantage over pure theory.” – Dylan
2.Get paid to learn
Apprenticeships offer you the opportunity to get paid to learn. You’ll earn a basic salary while you gain invaluable experience and specialist knowledge that will set you up for future career success. So, unlike university, you won’t be left with huge student loans to pay off over time but, instead, a strong professional skill set and knowledge base, as well as more money in your pocket.
3.Benefit from support systems and learning aids
An apprenticeship offers a higher level of support than a regular job, and your employer will be there to help guide you through your career journey. They will give you the support you need to progress, whether it’s answering role-related questions or providing access to useful resources to help your studies.
4. Feel the work environment
Apprenticeships are a great way to bridge the gap between finishing your education and starting your career. For example, an apprenticeship will help you experience a professional work environment and give you the opportunity to improve your transferable skills along the way, such as communication, time management and problem solving.
5.Get an industry-recognised qualification
During your apprenticeship, you’ll gain industry-recognised qualifications, which can help validate your skills and knowledge, and help you demonstrate your value to future employers. You can take this qualification with you throughout your career, which will improve your future job prospects.
6. Increase your marketability
In today’s professional world, many employers require a minimum level of experience when hiring new talent, and having experience as an apprentice can help you tick that box. Apprenticeships will help you demonstrate your expertise to employers and improve your marketability.
Dylan says “I would undoubtedly recommend this apprenticeship, there are so many graduates from university in the present day that it is hard to make yourself stand out when finding work.
Completing an apprenticeship like this can allow you to finish your degree and walk right into work the next day at a company you have three years of experience with. Everyone should take a look into degree apprenticeships and see if it is for them.”