Many of us have felt that feeling of unease when approaching the final years of education. For many, it is the first big decision we make in our lives that before this point was so clearly defined, you ask yourself, “what do I want to spend the rest of my life doing?” and once you’ve answered that “how do I pursue my aspirations and interests?” Well, an apprenticeship might just be your answer.
So… What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes created to equip people with the necessary soft and hard skills for a specific job. There are four levels of apprenticeship:
- Intermediate – the equivalent of 5 A* GCSEs
- Advanced – the equivalent of 2 A-Levels
- Higher – the equivalent of Foundation Degree and above
- Degree – the equivalent of a Bachelor’s or master’s degree
The duration of an apprenticeship varies from 1 to 5 years, depending on their level.
Why apprenticeships are worth your while
Unlike university, you get paid to learn and pursue your interests, with no debt incurred! There are a multitude of subject sectors to explore including Health, Science, Mathematics, Agriculture, Animal Care, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, ICT, Construction, Planning, Travel, Tourism, Arts, Media, Publishing, Education, Business, Finance and many more.
Committing to a 3-year plus university degree with no experience working in the field can make it harder to find a job in a competitive job market and leave some ill-prepared for the workplace. Also, some find that their initial dream job might not be what they expected. Apprenticeships offer you a trial run in your field of choice, giving you invaluable on-the-job experience working alongside experienced professionals.
Taking the next step
Apprenticeships vary significantly, so you must do your research to find the right opportunity. Consider the type of company you want to work for, the skills and experience they desire, the training provider and the progression opportunities after your apprenticeship.
You can find apprenticeships on the Gov.UK website and many other popular job sites.
All in all, apprenticeships offer you a strong foundation to build your career – turn your aspirations into reality!
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