Not sure if university is the correct path for you? An apprenticeship could be! Thousands of individuals are enrolling and becoming an apprentice to kick-start their professional career and you could be one of them.
To get you on board, we’ve rounded up 5 key things that make apprenticeships priceless!
1. Learn while you earn
Let’s face it. Getting paid to learn new skills and gain industry experience whilst working towards a qualification is the dream.
As an apprentice, this dream can come true and as your experience grows, your wage will increase. University is a great option for many but there are some pretty big drawbacks including debt and moving away from home.
The good news is, with an apprenticeship, you will not build up any student debt and will be able to do what you love quicker!
2. Gain the right skills and experience
Quite often, university graduates struggle to get into their desired industry due to a lack of practical experience. As an apprentice, you’re ahead of the game as you’ve already acquired 1-2 years worth of practical experience along with key skills and knowledge of industry specific platforms. This gives you a good head-start when applying for a position!
As an employer, this is also a beneficial as it can help companies expand and fill in the gaps by training apprentices whilst putting a lot less of a strain on the payroll which can help grow the business quicker.
3. Professional Development
Upon completing an apprenticeship, you will gain a professional qualification which is nationally recognised. This will help push you to succeed even further in your career as it can be added to your CV when applying for a new job.
The knowledge and skills gained from your chosen apprenticeship programme will be transferable and can help you continue to grow and even help you set up your own business in the future!
4. Handy student discounts
Who doesn’t love a cheeky discount? Well, when you become an apprentice, you will be able get an Apprenticeship Discount card with NUS Apprentice Extra lasting the full course of your apprenticeship. Whether its a discount in-store or online, for day-to-day essentials or little treats, there are hundreds of savings you can make.
Check out all the different discounts you can gain access to here
5. Expand your network
A common fear many apprentices have when deciding between university and an apprenticeship is not meeting new people. However, on the contrary, one of the most common benefits of an apprenticeship is the element of networking and connecting with new people.
An apprenticeship will allow you to meet and make lasting relationships with others in your industry which could be beneficial for your future. However, considering you will spend 80% of your week on-the-job, you can also make strong bonds and even friends for life.
Still on the fence?
There are hundreds of other reasons why apprenticeships are priceless, but hopefully the above has given you a top line insight into some benefits in choosing an apprenticeship.
Deciding what’s next can be daunting, but we are here to give you the clarity and reassurance that you need to know that it is okay to not want to follow the traditional education pathway!
Sign up here to gain access to our abundance of apprenticeship resources!
We’ve also included a short video below showcasing further benefits of an apprenticeship (in case you’re not already sold).
