Apprenticeships are perfect for those who want to be able to gain industry experience while earning a qualification. What’s even more amazing is that you’re given a salary to go with it!
It’s a chance to get ahead with your career, get trained, and gain some on-the-job experience at the same time. But since it’s a mixture of training and actual work, it can be confusing to know how best to approach an apprenticeship.
Of course you want to make the best impression on your new employer – but exactly how do you do that? Keep reading to find out
Willingness to learn
Completing an apprenticeship is all about learning new knowledge every day whilst also learning about yourself. You can discover new interests, skills, or improve on the existing ones. But learning about self is possible only if a person is willing to commit.
That isn’t all as no matter the role or industry, all young employees will also learn these job aspects while starting their training:
- Workplace etiquette
- Quality assurance processes and policies
- Record keeping and guidelines for daily work
- Specific tools used to perform job duties
Being interested to learn both general and specific industry skills is a key factor for success for young employees. The most successful apprentices are those who have retained the knowledge they have gained and applied it in a practical sense.
Communication
Whether it’s verbal, written, or both, communication is an essential skill for employees in all industries.
Employers think that communication is much more important than having teamwork skills, time management and even a university degree. Being able to express their thoughts clearly and concisely is essential as apprentices will have to communicate both in a verbal and written form with many employees.
How prospective employers will judge potential apprentice’s communication skills:
- CV – sections like work experience, volunteering and education can give some hints about the verbal communication skills. However, the way the personal statement is written could help assess written communication skills.
- Apprenticeship cover letter – this letter explains how the applicant is a good candidate for the apprenticeship program, which requires some persuasive writing skills
- Interview. Hiring managers will assess communication skills during a verbal or video interview using specific questions.
There is nothing to worry about if you feel like you don’t have these communication skills however, as communication skills can always be developed with practice.
Passion
Passion is one of the most important traits that employers and training providers look for in apprentices as this helps a lot when the work gets a little tougher. When you have a passion for something, it helps you work harder for it and gives you a reason to keep learning that specific interest and turn it into a success.
However, if a person isn’t passionate about what they do, then they’re probably working in a wrong role, or, worse still, industry.
Finding out your passion might not be as easy.
However, if you’re really up for it, consider these tips:
- Explore yourself. Explore the things that you love and could do with your eyes shut!
- Grasp the qualities that you enjoy expressing the most.
- Ask yourself some self-reflective questions like:
- What are things you enjoy doing without getting bored?
- Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
- What career do you want to pursue in the near future?
- What are things you want to change about yourself?
Passion is important in any industry so find what motivates you and get in touch so that we can connect you with the right role.
Self-Confidence
Essentially, confidence is knowing the value you provide, what you’re good at, and acting in a way that conveys that to those around you.
Having enough self-confidence in yourself is never easy but it helps to remember that you have what it takes to be successful. When you have confidence in both your personality and skills, you can concentrate more on your responsibilities rather than comparing yourself to others.
Confidence is also recognising your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing the aspects you lack and showing that you understand how to improve is always key in both interviews and your career.
Independent whilst being a team-player
As an apprentice progresses, they will be given more independence within the workplace. Apprentices need to know how to take initiative with their work, but also how to ask for help from their team and supervisors. Whether it be how to go about a task or to let your team know your workload struggles, this can help foster a collaborative work environment by sharing skills between colleagues.
The ability to work independently as well as working part of a team, and helping your fellow colleagues, is a hugely important skill that apprentices learn on the job.
Final Thoughts
Apprenticeships are growing in popularity by the minute and there is no confusion as to why! It’s an opportunity to work in global companies, meeting industry leaders whilst also gaining a qualification and getting paid. As with any role and industry, young employees need to have a set of specific personal skills to get the most out of the experience.
Willingness to learn, communication, passion, self-confidence and the ability to be independent while being a team-player are some of these skills that increase the chance of success. They apply to every professional role, company, or industry.
Demonstrating and developing these skills are key as employers are always looking for apprentices who can apply them in day-to-day work. If you feel like you possess these skills, don’t hesitate in looking into an apprenticeship that’ll serve you well in the future.
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