The age old question of “what should I do once school finishes?” is one that goes through all of our minds at one point or another, we spend countless hours possibly nights deciding “Should I go to uni?“, “Should I take a gap year?“, “should I go into work?” Well why not consider an apprenticeship? its all of those options in one.
What is an Apprenticeship?
It is a real job where you will get paid to work and learn at the same time gain valuable experience by the end of your course have the relevant skills and knowledge for your chosen career.
It can last anywhere 1-6 years depending on the level you take on.
How does an apprenticeship work?
There multiple different levels to an apprenticeship
- Intermediate represents level 2 which is an equivalent to GCSEs
- Advanced is level 3 which is the equivalent of A Levels
- Higher represents level 4,5,6 and 7 which begins at foundation degree towards masters degree
- Degree level is a level 6 and 7 and this will result in achieving a Bachelors and or Masters degree
Why should you choose an apprenticeship?
You will be provided with the skills and experience to kick start your career, not only will you get paid for this you will also receive a qualification at the end.
Pros and Cons of an Apprenticeship
Like all things there are pros and cons, its not all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, however the pros outweigh the cons
Pros of an Apprenticeship
Below i’ve listed some aspects which make apprenticeships a no brainer
Paid on the job
By far this is one of the most attractive qualities of an apprenticeship, you earn a full time starting salary whilst also gaining the proper skills and relevant knowledge for your chosen career
Zero debt
Unlike university you won’t need to pay a single penny for an apprenticeship, this means no student loan debt!
Industry experience
Whilst undergoing your apprenticeship you will gain the relevant knowledge and experience for your industry, you will also get the opportunity to attend networking events and build your professional network.
At the end of your apprenticeship you will also receive an accredited certificate showing employers that you are qualified for the role.
Multiple career choices
You will have a variety of career options to choose from.
Some options include:
- Digital Marketing
- Data analysis
- Software engineering
- Project management
- Business
- IT
- Accounting
There are also options for creative industries such as:
- Music
- Film and TV
Cons of an apprenticeship
There are many pros to an apprenticeship but there are also some drawbacks to it
Limited career direction
Whilst an apprenticeship offers many industry choices they do not cover every field, some careers do require you to have a degree an for those industries you will need to go to uni
Straight into a career
Whilst this isn’t necessarily a con nor a pro i’ve decided to include it as a con.
Finishing school and going straight into a career can be daunting, you are given the responsibility of a full time worker and alongside your full time responsibilities you will also need to make sure you’re on top of your learning. This can be hard to manage especially when the work begins to pick up the pace.
Whether you decide to take a gap year, go to uni or begin an apprenticeship that choice is up to you but I hope this blog has given you an insight into the world of apprenticeships and that it helps make your decision
Useful Links:
