Apprenticeships combine a balance of work and study (GOV.UK) and range from Level 2 (Intermediate) to Level 7 (Master’s Degree).Apprenticeships can be a fantastic alternative to the traditional education route for those who enjoy a more practical, hands-on learning experience.
An apprenticeship allows you to gain real work experience whilst working towards a qualification. This permits the application of theories into the workplace and generates a greater understanding. It also assists with career path decisions as you can test different areas of work to understand what the future might look like. Work experience allows for a strong CV to be built, making you, as an apprentice look attractive to hiring managers as you have experience in the working world.
“As a Marketing Assistant, I have campaigns that I have to run and it is down to me to ensure that budget is assigned, email marketing communications are sent out on time and website content is updated in alignment with the campaign. It is a real job role that I am learning so much from all the time.” – Phoebe Walker, Marketing Degree Apprentice
Whatever level of apprenticeship a person chooses, the learning element allows a continuation of study to gain the qualifications that companies desire. Further, the real-life work issues that apprentices face can become the basis for coursework assignments and research projects. The practicality of an apprenticeship can be applied to the theoretical content taught in the classroom.
“Personally, I think that an apprenticeship offers the best of both worlds because you get to study for a qualification and gain truly valuable work experience for your CV. You can also apply the academic theories to the practical work experience and vice versa, which is really useful when it comes to understanding the applicability of what you are studying.” – Niamh Mulhall, Pearson College London Degree Apprentice
You also have the opportunity to learn from business professionals, particularly in larger companies. Learning from line managers, mentors and other team members about the processes they use and their career paths is another quality of apprenticeships that provides you with more than just a classroom experience.
Another benefit for you is that you can earn a salary, making you financially independent and rewarded for the hard work you are doing, all whilst getting a fully-funded qualification and work experience. What a great deal!
Networking is a skill that university doesn’t teach you; and with more and more professionals entering the workplace each year, this is a vital skill to learn. Within an apprenticeship, networking works on two levels: peers and professionals.
Peers are like-minded individuals who share the same views about apprenticeships and can support with regards to the pressures of balancing work and study.
The other side of networking happens with professionals, both internally and externally. Internally, as mentioned before, you can network with and learn from professionals in the company. Externally, networking events and masterclasses allow for this crucial skill to be practised and mastered so that you have connections for potential future career avenues.
“At Pearson College London, we’re released one day per week on a Friday to complete our studies towards our degree. Whilst I work for Pearson, I have the opportunity to study with students from a whole range of companies such as IBM, Mondelez, L’Oréal, Moët Hennessy and Red Carnation Hotels. This is great as a whole range of experiences is brought into the classroom.” – Katie Fiddaman, Pearson Degree Apprentice
Something that education alone cannot teach you is a professional mindset. You can be an extremely conscientious individual with a high level of academia, but it is not until you enter the workplace that you can build the professional mindset required to work in any role. This mindset includes elements such as adaptability and flexibility whereby you need to constantly alter behaviours and styles for different working scenarios and situations.
Also, the responsibilities you have does not only impact grades, but also a business, mirroring the world of work further. The work experience of an apprenticeship aids the development of these skills.
In summary, there are so many ways that an apprenticeship can help you. Find out more during National Apprenticeship Week (3rd-7th February 2020) and see whether an apprenticeship would work for you.
For more information about Pearson College London and their degree apprenticeship programmes, visit the website.
