What to expect during your apprenticeship
Undertaking an apprenticeship can be overwhelming as you have to learn to balance your time two ways with studying, work and life. It can be a unique and rewarding experience that offers the opportunity to gain valuable real-world skills whilst studying.
The key to an apprenticeship is balance, majority of your working week will be dedicated to your job role but you will also complete off-the-job training with The Apprentice Network, your training provider. Off-the-job training accounts for 20% of your working week and allows time to focus and develop skills, knowledge and behaviour’s for achieving your apprenticeship.
Being an apprentice comes with its own challenges. In this post we’ll explore the importance of balancing these elements and provide tips to help navigate the journey successfully.
1. Understanding the Dual Commitment
- Create structure: plan out your week – for your job and your apprenticeship. Block out time to complete the things you need to do, whether that’s a work task, training or study session. Organising what you need to achieve will help you feel in control.
- Prioritise wisely: draw up a ‘to-do’ list, ranking your tasks in order of priority. If you need support with this, talk to your line manager so they are aware and can help you prioritise.
- Set deadlines: set limits on the amount of time you spend per task – it will help you focus. Set reminders, too, so you don’t miss a deadline.
- Set the right goals: set achievable goals in the time you have allocated. If in doubt, remember to utilise SMART – specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
- Stay focused: find the right environment to study in so you are not distracted and factor in structured breaks during study sessions.
- Avoid multi-tasking: give your full attention to your current task before moving on to the next one. Juggling multiple tasks at the same time is distracting and stressful.
2. Seek Support and Guidance
Maintaining open lines of communication with your employer and apprentice coach is essential. Don’t hesitate to seek support and guidance from colleagues or mentors at work. They can offer insights, experiences and provide assistance when needed. Try to explore opportunities to meet other apprentices so you can share experiences and form a support network that can enhance your learning.
Talk to your employer about experience and training to support your learning. Opportunities in the workplace can help develop, practice and evidence the knowledge and skills you need to meet your programme requirements. If you need support for assignments or study leave – ask. They’re invested in you and your success.
3. Taking time out
Taking care of your well-being is crucial, so downtime is vital to staying productive and supporting your mental health. You need to relax and unwind, whether that is during your working week or on holiday. It can help you refocus, improve productivity and reset your energy levels for your job and learning.
4. Embrace the new and adapt
As an apprentice, you need to embrace being curious and proactive. Seeking new skills and knowledge and applying what you have learnt in your studies directly to your work tasks and vice versa. Find room for flexibility is key to navigate and adapt, overcoming obstacles to build resilience.
Don’t lose sight of why you are doing an apprenticeship. Not only are they about new opportunities, they are also about your personal and professional growth – about learning what you love.
Taking on the daunting task of balancing work and study as an apprentice is rewarding, with proper planning and time management, and a positive mindset. Challenges present opportunities for growth and development, helping you to stay committed to an end goal. Embrace the journey and seek support when needed, by doing so you’ll be on your way to a successful career and a fulfilling educational experience.
