National Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday 6 February! There are plenty of reasons to opt for an apprenticeship, whether you want to gain hands-on experience or earn a salary whilst working towards a qualification, an apprenticeship may be the perfect option for you.
- Gain valuable experience
An apprenticeship allows you to get real world experience in your chosen sector. Get a feel for the work environment and develop key skills to kickstart your career. You’ll get an insight in the world of work, learn from experienced colleagues, and get the support you need from your team.
Many employers look for someone who has the right work experience when recruiting, giving you the upper hand over some graduates, and making it easier to secure full time employment later down the line. Remember, people who have completed an apprenticeship are 15% more likely to be hired or promoted by employers than those with other qualifications.
- Earn while you learn
Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a salary whilst working towards a qualification! This is perfect for those who would prefer to earn than go to college when leaving school or starting out in a new industry.
Apprentices don’t get paid pennies, either. The National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £4.81 per hour, but you’ll find some employers will pay over that rate and your wage will increase with experience and time. You will also receive at least 28 paid holidays per year (including Bank Holidays).
- Get to know the industry inside out
During your apprenticeship, you’ll get to know your chosen industry like the back of your hand.
Work alongside experts in the industry, who will give you tailored support and training so you can reach your full potential. You will have a workplace mentor who will support you in your daily activities, and an Assessor to visit you in the workplace.
You will also get lots of networking opportunities, giving you the opportunity to connect with others in the industry. This is the perfect way to get your name out there and may unlock more opportunities later down the line.
Poppy Taylor, Apprentice Library Assistant, had this to say about her Apprenticeship with Stockton Learning & Skills: “Working in an NHS library has been very different to what I am used to, but I enjoy it very much because of how interesting it is. I am flourishing in my chosen career, and this has been recognised by my colleagues and managers too.”
- Skip the student loan
Apprenticeships come at no cost to you, so why not skip those expensive student loans and gain experience whilst doing so?
In 2021/22, UK students had an average of £45K worth of debt when graduating. As an apprentice your employer pays for your training and your salary, so you can wave goodbye to those hefty student loans!
- Gain an industry recognised qualification
Upon completion of your apprenticeship, you will walk away with an industry recognised qualification. Apprenticeships offer a variety of levels, from GCSE and A-Level, all the way to Higher and Degree apprenticeships; you can find out more about these on the GOV website.
Apprentices also get to spend 20% of their paid time in 'off-the-job training'. This involves getting essential training to help gain the skills, knowledge, and behaviour needed to complete the apprenticeship programme.
Interested in trying an Apprenticeship? Keep your eyes peeled on our Apprenticeship Vacancies page, which will be updated for any new opportunities.