Which Skills did I learn During My Apprenticeship?

Hey! I’m Euan, a Level 6 Chartered Business Management Degree Apprentice at IBM. Within the organisation, I worked as a Service Design in our Customer Transformation business, currently working on a Health and Lifecare Sciences account, helping deliver a key service for daily life within the country.

First things first, I will introduce you to some common skills learnt through apprenticeships. You are likely to hear these terms a lot in relation to employability skills and key characteristics. Lets go:

• Technical Skills: Depending on your field, technical skills could include computer programming, graphic design, welding, plumbing, or electrical work. Make sure to focus on the technical skills that are specific to your industry.
• Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are essential in any profession. During your apprenticeship, focus on improving your written and verbal communication skills, listening skills, and ability to collaborate with others.
• Time Management: Managing your time effectively is important in any job. During your apprenticeship, practice setting and achieving goals, prioritising tasks, and managing your time to maximise productivity.
• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills are essential in problem-solving and decision-making. During your apprenticeship, practice analysing problems, identifying potential solutions, and making informed decisions.
• Adaptability: As you progress through your apprenticeship, you will likely encounter unexpected challenges and changes. Practice staying adaptable and flexible, and be willing to learn and adjust as needed.
• Work Ethic: Developing a strong work ethic is important in any profession. Focus on being punctual, dependable, and dedicated to your work during your apprenticeship.
• Professionalism: Professionalism includes maintaining a positive attitude, being respectful and courteous to colleagues and clients, dressing appropriately, and adhering to workplace policies and procedures.

I believe that the largest skill I have developed during my time in my apprenticeship (circa two years) is communication. Communication is core to everything about the human experience. It impacts how we work with others, how well teams function, and how we perceive ourselves. 

When I first joined my apprenticeship, I was working from home and overwhelmed by the challenge in front of me working for such a large organisation like IBM. However, over time, I was able to build up my confidence and become comfortable in mostly all settings!

To develop this skill, I worked on a couple of main points. Firstly, active listening and clear communication start with this. If you’re just focused on how you are expressing yourself, chances are you are not listening or reacting to what others are bringing to the table. By ensuring that you actively listen, you can support your team and others in your organisation better and, ultimately, act more effectively. 

The other main point I focused on was empathy. Being able to understand the feelings of those around you is an integral part of being an effective communicator. Empathising means both understanding and relating to someone else’s feelings. Participating in empathy has allowed me to build my emotional intelligence and has allowed me to build rapport between me and others, increasing my ability to communicate.

Another skill I have built is problem-solving. Sometimes in my roles, I experience days which just generate problem after problem that I need to work with my team to solve. As tough as those can be when I am constantly trying to put out fires, it has allowed me to build up resiliency and broadened my creativity when approaching issues. This has allowed me to begin to group certain problems, understand patterns which can occur and, overall, solve problems quicker.

Lastly, strategic thinking. Often, the projects I am working on are just a sub-part of the overall client, meaning that I’m working with business leaders rather than members of the senior leadership team. 

Due to this, sometimes, the overall vision of the organisation can be lost in conversations. This means that I need to research the client in detail and work with other members of the team to ensure that the solution I propose not only meets the needs of the stakeholder I am working with but also fits into the overall strategy of the client.

All these skills have taken the time and certainly didn’t come straight away! The whole point of apprenticeships is to learn, and I am thankful I have been provided with an environment to do just this.

During your apprenticeship, you can expect to learn technical skills specific to your industry, such as coding languages or machinery operation. You may also learn about safety procedures and regulations related to your field.

Yes! Soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management are often emphasized during apprenticeships. These skills will be valuable throughout your career.

Be proactive in seeking out learning opportunities and asking questions. Take advantage of any training or mentorship programs offered by your company. And don't be afraid to make mistakes - they're a natural part of the learning process.

Your employer should provide you with guidance and feedback throughout the program. They may also offer resources like training materials or access to experienced mentors.

The skills you learn during your apprenticeship will prepare you for a successful career in your industry. You'll have hands-on experience that will set you apart from other job candidates, and you'll have developed valuable technical and soft skills that will serve you well throughout your career.