Are You Starting an Apprenticeship? Follow These Expert Tips

Starting an apprenticeship can be an exciting and daunting experience. After all, you are committing to months or even years of learning, work and dedication. To ensure a smooth journey towards mastering a trade, there are a few key pieces of advice worth heeding. 

First, make sure that you do your research and gain an understanding of the job role and what will be expected from you over the course of your apprenticeship. Second, ask questions if you don't understand something - there is no such thing as a stupid question! 

Finally, believe in yourself: starting an apprenticeship can be overwhelming, but having confidence in yourself will provide the drive and focus necessary for it to become a successful workflow experience. 

Just like some of these helpful tips, you will find a lot of important information through this blog to help you get started with an apprenticeship.

Finding a mentor might be something your company already has a system in place for, and if you're not sure, then the best place to ask is most likely your supervisor, HR, Learning and Development, or the training department.

There are a few things to think about when considering Mentors:

1. How many is too many? - If no one has told you this before, then I'm telling you now; having different mentors in different areas is entirely normal. I encourage you to choose mentors based on their character in different areas. That way, when you ask questions, you'll be confident in knowing that it's coming from someone you want to emulate in some way.
2. Only at work? - Your place of employment is not the only place where you must find a mentor. There are plenty of places to look at. You may approach someone on LinkedIn, at a networking event, at a masterclass, at your place of study, through a mentoring programme and even consider some of your peers.
3. Um, say what? - How do you approach mentors? There are two main ways I'd suggest approaching a potential mentor.
   1. Cut and dry - This way, you're outlining that you're interested in connecting, you've seen the work that they've done etc., and you would like to know if they're open to mentoring. It doesn't have to be exactly like this, you may want to have a short conversation before you propose mentorship, but this is one way to go about it.
   2. Relationship building - This is my preferred way of having a mentor. Taking this route can be more of a natural transition, and you also get to experience their character. It might be that someone is really fantastic at networking but does not care to follow up, or when listening to their conversation during networking, they're an over talker or inappropriate and move on. It might not be entirely beneficial for you in this area to have them as a mentor.

1. Cut and dry - This way, you're outlining that you're interested in connecting, you've seen the work that they've done etc., and you would like to know if they're open to mentoring. It doesn't have to be exactly like this, you may want to have a short conversation before you propose mentorship, but this is one way to go about it.
2. Relationship building - This is my preferred way of having a mentor. Taking this route can be more of a natural transition, and you also get to experience their character. It might be that someone is really fantastic at networking but does not care to follow up, or when listening to their conversation during networking, they're an over talker or inappropriate and move on. It might not be entirely beneficial for you in this area to have them as a mentor.

Before starting an apprenticeship, research different programs and choose one that suits your interests and career goals. Look for apprenticeships with reputable companies or organizations that offer quality training and job opportunities.

Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the apprenticeship, including education, age, and any other criteria specified in the program.

Prepare a professional resume and cover letter that highlights your skills, experience, and qualifications. Tailor your application to the specific apprenticeship you are applying for.

Reach out to industry professionals and organizations to learn about available apprenticeships and potential job opportunities. Attend career fairs and events to network with employers and other apprentices.

Many apprenticeships have limited positions available, so it's essential to apply early to increase your chances of getting selected.

If you are selected for an interview, prepare by researching the company or organization and the industry. Be ready to answer questions about your skills, experience, and career goals.

An apprenticeship is a learning experience, so be prepared to learn new skills and take on new challenges. Be open to feedback and use it to improve your performance.

Build positive relationships with your colleagues and mentors, as they can provide guidance and support throughout your apprenticeship and beyond.

First of all, congratulations on securing your apprenticeship! ** The crowd cheers ** The celebration doesn't stop there.

In my experience, it's very easy to get burdened with how much you need to learn, remember and implement, especially at the start of the apprenticeship. You may want to show how excellent you are in certain areas, but (and take this with a slice of humble pie!) you're not going to be fantastic at everything, which is great because it gives you space to learn and develop your skill in this profession.

So! When you do something that you had never done before, whether it was easy or challenging, acknowledge when you've done something well. I'm not suggesting that you book a holiday each time you submit an essay on time, but you'll be juggling work, study, personal life, being a family member, a friend etc.

Whether this is your first job or third apprenticeship, I'm sure one of the reasons for going down this route was because you'll be learning about something either through studying, learning on the job or both.

When you celebrate your successes, big and small, it helps to maintain a positive mindset.

It's very important to understand that even though you're doing an apprenticeship, you're very much responsible for your learning.

You might have other interests outside of the career field that you're in, but especially in the career field that you are in, there is no harm in going to talks, seminars, or masterclasses because there's always something more to learn outside of your course syllabus in the same area.

Additionally, there's more to excelling in your chosen career field than just academics! You will need to take responsibility for the soft skills that you're developing, such as communication, admitting when you've made a mistake, being an excellent team member, drafting emails, and the list goes on. These are also skills that you can work on through the same learning channels as above, and you can learn all of these skills on the job and practice outside of work too.

The point is there's always something more to learn. Never ever have the attitude of "I've arrived" when it comes to learning. Always give yourself the room to develop your knowledge and upskill because it makes your skill set more valuable.

Starting an apprenticeship can be intimidating, but if you keep these expert tips in mind, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition. Research the industry and professional qualifications needed and register for any required tests. 

Understand what to expect from the job and familiarize yourself with company policies that may impact your apprenticeship. Finally, take full advantage of every opportunity to learn and ask questions to expand your knowledge. With hard work and dedication, you're sure to make the most out of your apprenticeship experience!

There are several ways to find an apprenticeship program, including searching online job boards, contacting local trade associations or unions, and reaching out directly to employers who offer apprenticeships.

Many different industries offer apprenticeship programs, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, hospitality and tourism, and many others.

The qualifications required to start an apprenticeship will depend on the specific program and industry. In general, most programs require individuals to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Completing an apprenticeship can provide individuals with many benefits, including gaining valuable work experience and practical skills in their chosen field, earning a salary while they learn, obtaining industry-recognized credentials or certifications upon completion of the program which can increase employability and earning potential.