IF you think being an apprentice is anything like the TV show, where Lord Sugar could shout, “You’re fired!” at any moment, you are very much mistaken.
It is a great way to learn in a supportive environment and perhaps the best route to full-time employment.
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National Apprentice Week starts on Monday. While it was once seen solely as a route into traditional roles for school-leavers, almost a third of trainees now study a Higher Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to a university degree.
And they are suitable for all ages, from 16 to 70. In the past decade, more than five million people have studied for the courses, in which trainees get qualifications while being paid a wage.
Around 30,000 apprenticeships are on offer across the country at any one time, for more than 1,500 different roles — with thousands of extra vacancies added this week.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Apprenticeships offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn, and build a successful career in exciting sectors including fashion, healthcare, law, digital technology, teaching and engineering.”
One person who went down the apprenticeship route was 24-year-old Sarah Stockley.
She studied on the UK’s only demolition operative apprenticeship at London South East Colleges and now works for Erith Group.
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Sarah, who is from Kent, said: “I’m currently working at a site where we are taking down steel and brickwork following a fire last year. Prior to this, I spent several months at Tilbury Docks dealing with damage caused by a huge grain silo explosion.
“I’d encourage other women not to be put off from pursuing careers in traditionally ‘male’ industries.
“I’ve had such a good experience and have been treated equally and with respect from day one.
“The biggest issue is people simply not being used to having a woman around — so we need to change this!”
If you are interested in finding out more, see lsec.ac.uk/apprenticeships.
Apply now
Here we highlight some of the most unusual apprenticeships to apply for during National Apprenticeship Week:
Keep the parents ‘appy
OFTEN the biggest stumbling block to starting an apprenticeship is a parent who thinks their child should go to uni.
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Here Naivasha Mwanji, Partnerships and Outreach Manager at apprenticeship specialist Multiverse.io, explains what young people need to tell their parents.
- Apprenticeships are more diverse than you think: They are more than just manual jobs. They are offered across all sectors from law to technology. Businesses know the world is changing and their approach needs to reflect this.
- You get great qualific-ations: An advanced appren-ticeship is the equivalent of two A-levels, while a degree apprenticeship is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
- Applying is easy: There are lots of places to look for roles and you can apply at any time. At Multiverse.io we have more than 200 apprenticeship vacancies. You can also check out the government website at gov.uk/become-apprentice.
- You earn while you learn: As well as getting paid a salary, you also gain valuable work experience that you might have missed out on at uni.
- It’s a great route to employment: 85 per cent of apprentices remain in work after completing their course and two thirds of these stay with the same employer.
Code it be you?
WITH half of firms struggling to fill digital vacancies, software, coding and social media apprenticeships are red-hot.
Software firm Makers wants 22 trainees for coding apprenticeships. You must be 18 to apply and are guaranteed a job at the end of the course.
Makers boss Claudia Harris said: “Apprenticeships are changing the face of tech and addressing the tech skills challenge across the sector.”
Head to apply.makers.tech/application-form-step-1.
And the Juice Academy has 20 vacancies for its junior content producer Level 3 apprenticeship. You need grade-four GCSEs or better in maths and English. Get involved by March 31 at juiceacademy.co.uk/apprentices-apply.
Cereal winners
LOOKING for an apprenticeship you can get your teeth into?
The Weetabix Food Co wants six apprentices for its Northamptonshire factory.
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There are openings for two manufacturing apprentices and four engineering apprentices.
The firm’s Stuart Branch said: “Our apprentices are so important for the future of our business and we can’t wait to welcome this year’s intake. Completing an apprenticeship at Weetabix is a great start to a young person’s career.
“It gives them access to a variety of activities that help to improve their knowledge and skills, and also gives them the opportunity to meet great people.”
Interested? Apply by February 28 at weetabixfoodcompany.co.uk/careers.
