Did You Ever Wish You’d Been Paid To Go to School?
Ok, so you’re beyond that point, you’ve already completed school, but what about your next steps? Did you know you can ‘earn as you learn’, with an apprenticeship programme?
You’re probably in a rush, so don’t worry, I’ve kept this short, just a brief 2-minute overview to give you a flavour for why an apprenticeship might be the next career step you’re looking for…
What Is an Apprenticeship?
In a nutshell, an apprenticeship is a paid job, complete with holiday leave and a contract of employment, where you learn while you work and get hands on experience to develop the skills you need for your chosen career path.
Isn’t This Just an Internship?
Although there are similarities, an apprenticeship and an internship are not the same thing.
- An internship is a fixed period of employment, often part-time within a workplace, usually for students or young people to gain experience within a workplace – this is very often unpaid!
- An apprenticeship is paid employment, without the end date, the company is essentially investing in you as a person, by allowing you to learn as you work (typically 20% of your working time is spent on your apprenticeship)
Nobody Mentioned Apprenticeships in School or College – Why Not?
Once upon a time, it used to be a popular option to become an apprentice, with references to apprentices in famous by-gone novels like Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, but unfortunately over time, this vital resource fell out of fashion in the UK, and although it might not have been their best option, many were encouraged to go into further education.
But thankfully, no more! Paid apprenticeships are back in business, and with a whole host of big-name companies getting involved, including the likes of:
- Amazon
- Lloyds Bank
- JP Morgan
- Transport For London
- Google – where the typical salary for an apprentice is £21,167 per year
Is an Apprenticeship for You?
Coming out of full-time education into the world of work, or considering a career change can be a daunting an unsettling time, and you might be wondering what you should next.
- How do I get that dream job without the required experience? What even is my dream job?!
- I’m not sure if university is right for me, and what about those massive student loans?
- You’ve completed your university degree and in full-time employment but you’re being held back by gaps in your skillset
- I’ve fallen into a job that I don’t really like and desperate for a change
- Am I too old to learn? To which, of course, the answer is always no!
Well, if you’ve been in any of the above categories, then an apprenticeship could well be for you.
What Sort of Apprenticeships Are Out There?
There are four different levels of apprenticeships:
- Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)
- Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)
- Higher apprenticeships (Level 4 and above)
- Degree apprenticeships (Levels 6 — 7)
Think You Might Be Limiting Your Scope by Enrolling in an Apprenticeship Programme Rather Than University?
Well, that’s simply not the case – with over 1,500 job roles across a multitude of disciplines, the door is wide open to a host of exciting apprenticeship opportunities, including but not limited to roles in:
- Architecture
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Engineering
- Natural sciences
- Media
- Hospitality
- and many more!
If you want the best of both worlds, you could consider a degree apprenticeship. Where your employer, in association with the UK Government will even pay your university fees, plus you’ll be earning as an employee at the same time – hard work, but could be the right option for you.
Already in Employment but Want To Develop Your Skills?
Your employer can sign up to become a training provider themselves. Talk to your employer about this possibility and see how further training could benefit you and your company.
So What Are You Waiting For?
Kick start your future now and explore the diverse range of apprenticeship opportunities out there. Already have a company in mind? Then why not search to see if they’re offering apprenticeship roles!
Still Unsure About Becoming an Apprentice?
Check out the UK government’s list of top 100 employers for apprentices and see who you could be working for!
Plus, discover what other apprentices have to say about their experiences, right here on The Apprenticeship Network
