The prospect of going to university is a daunting one for all students. The change in culture and learning style can put you off before even arriving on campus.
Apprenticeships are a great way for students to make the jump from the life of a school student to the adult world whilst gaining a formal qualification at the same time.
Gone are the days of employers being fixated on your university education, they are now looking for those individuals who are driven and looking to better their careers. Some employers are still looking for experience, but apprenticeships are a great entry into the professional world.
I could advocate apprenticeships all day because of all of the benefits but there are obviously some exceptions for those who wouldn’t benefit from completing an apprenticeship i.e. for specific industries which require the University standard.
However, those looking to pursue roles in quite a wide range of sectors could seriously benefit from completing an apprenticeship. There are many benefits and they differ for what you are looking for in a role but here are some that I think are the best for me
Benefits of Doing an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are an excellent way to get real-world, practical experience in a particular field while avoiding onerous tuition fees. While they may not offer the same academic knowledge as a college course, they can provide invaluable insight into the workings of a business or profession, which would otherwise take years of trial and error in the regular workforce to acquire.
Apprentices also gain access to contacts that may be difficult to find outside of their apprenticeship and can even qualify for higher pay or specialist certification, depending on their placement.
By offering hands-on learning that reflects the desired skills of any high-level employer, apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to traditional academia.
It is a paid role
Whilst all of your friends go off to university to gain their qualifications, getting into large amounts of debt over the three years, you are in a full-time job and are earning a salary whilst gaining a qualification alongside.
This means that at the end of the degree, you are going to be entering the world of full-time employment, without the stress of having to repay all of that student debt.
You will be gaining valuable workplace experience
Gone are the days when employers were solely focused on what qualifications you have, having experience on your CV is just as impressive to employers now so doing an apprenticeship means you can cater to both employers – those looking for experience and those looking for qualifications.
Much more tailored and accessible support
Being in the workplace, you are surrounded by lots of people with much more experience than you who are around to assist you at all times. Nobody expects you to be perfect and people in your business are willing and excited to help you.
They are much more forgiving with mistakes as they know you are learning in the workplace. You will also have access to those at the university or college you are paired with so there is another level of support for you as you complete your qualification.
Overall, there are many more benefits to completing an apprenticeship and they are tailored to what you are looking for.
Get paid to learn
Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to gain valuable on-the-job experience in their chosen career field while still financially supporting themselves.
Participants can learn from professionals in their field, but the best part of an apprenticeship is that it combines technical instruction with paid employment. Through an apprenticeship, young people earn income as they grow professionally and build up their future job opportunities.
They get the unique opportunity to gain practical skills associated with a certain career directly from people who already have experience in that exact field - rather than classroom lessons - which can be invaluable when searching for future jobs or freelancing.
An apprenticeship is worth considering if someone is looking to pursue a skill and get paid.
Improve your employ ability
Apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience and develop valuable skills that will make you more employable. They increase the scope of the skills you can bring to the table and show employers that you have a commitment to the field and an ability to apply your knowledge to real projects.
Through an apprenticeship, you can be better prepared when it's time to search for a job in the workplace or grow within your current employer.
Whether you're starting out in your career or looking for something new, doing an apprenticeship is a great way to hone important skills while gaining an edge over other applicants who lack real-world experience.
Enjoy student discounts
Apprenticeships have plenty of advantages, including the opportunity to enjoy student discounts. Enrolling in an apprenticeship program allows those who want advanced job training to enjoy discounts on goods and services through their school and from vendors all over their area.
From travel expenses to restaurant meals and clothing, all kinds of deals can be taken advantage of if you're a student or apprentice working toward a degree or certificate.
Many companies also reward students and apprentices for completing various tasks or staying with the company for a long time. With all these incentives, doing an apprenticeship is a great way to stay connected to your field of study and allows those who take advantage of its many financial benefits.
Choose from plenty of programmes
Doing an apprenticeship is a great way to learn and develop your skills in a particular area. It can open up many opportunities to gain valuable industry experience and expand your knowledge.
Not only that but the choice of programmes available means you have plenty of options. Whether you're interested further in science, technology, engineering and math, the creative industries or development in entrepreneurship, many apprenticeships can help you achieve career success.
With the range of apprenticeships, anyone looking to enter the workforce can benefit from this route.
FAQs
How do I find an apprenticeship?
To find the right apprenticeship, the best place to start is online. Several websites offer up-to-date listings of apprenticeships available in your area or around the country – such as Not Going to Uni (you have come to the right place!)
It's also worth speaking with people you know who have completed an apprenticeship, as they can often provide valuable insight into which trades may be more suitable for you and help you refine your search.
What types of apprenticeships are there?
Various kinds of apprenticeships are available depending on the chosen sector, such as construction and engineering, retail and customer service, finance or musical theatre. Depending on the employer and industry, apprentices will be able to:
What is the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship?
An apprenticeship typically aims at individuals who want to work in trades or technical occupations such as engineering, plumbing, or painting. It involves working with experienced professionals hands-on and engaging in more complex tasks from the onset.
Meanwhile, internships usually target college students and recent graduates looking to obtain experience and develop skills related to their educational background or desired profession. Interns often observe professionals in action while doing simple tasks under close supervision.
