Apprenticeships are a unique way of furthering your academic qualifications at the same time as working and earning money. There are thousands of jobs for which the best way to progress is to learn on the job: builders, decorators, plumbers, mechanics and carpenters being just a few. An apprenticeship will allow you to begin work straight away, earning a wage whilst spending perhaps two days a week at college in order to pick up the academic skills you need to become fully qualified in your new career.
The advantages are many: you have a job, for a start! Your foot is firmly on the first rung of the employment ladder and you’re on your way in your new career. When your apprenticeship is completed, your company will most likely want to keep you on, giving you some job security as well. Going through an apprenticeship tells prospective employers that you are dedicated to the job, wanting to get into work as quickly as possible whilst also being keen to learn new academic skills.
It’s worth considering a couple of points about apprenticeships, though. You will have to spend a couple of days a week at college, which can sometimes feel like being back at school. Apprenticeships tend to last for a couple of years on average, so you should bear this in mind before applying for one. Although you do get paid for being an apprentice the pay is usually very low, reflecting the fact that you are not yet qualified in your chosen career. Post-apprenticeship salaries are usually very generous, though, so hold on tight and you will be earning good money in no time at all!
If you’re interested in finding apprenticeship vacancies, why not take a look online? There is plenty of information to be found, enabling you to sum up the advantages and disadvantages in order to make an informed decision of your own.