5 Benefits of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have been around for many years and they are a solid way to start a career in a new field. Typically, they allow individuals to earn a wage while gaining a new qualification. This means that they are an ideal way for candidates to avoid the cost of taking a full-time course. 

For employers, apprenticeships represent a ‘win-win’ situation in which the company benefits from new skilled staff members while allowing people to gain experience and establish themselves in new careers. 

In this article we will explain the main benefits of completing an apprenticeship from the point of view of the apprentice. We will also explore the main reasons for undertaking one. 

Why do an apprenticeship? 

Well, they provide excellent benefits for both the employer and the apprentice. While many typically think of apprentices as being young people or school leavers, this is by no means always the case. 

Frequently, older people choose to apply for one because of the opportunity they present to learn new skills and embark upon an entirely new and exciting career path. Therefore, being a school or college leaver is no barrier to applying for an apprenticeship. 

We will now go into each of the main benefits associated with apprenticeships from the view of the apprentice. 

For more information aimed at employers visit our Employer guide to apprenticeships.  

How will an apprenticeship benefit the apprentice? 

1. Gain a qualification -First up, one of the main advantages is that they offer the apprentice the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification from a relevant training provider. As course fees for college and universities rise, completing an apprenticeship is an excellent way of accessing a respected qualification in the field of your choice without taking on the burden of loans to cover course fees and living expenses. For many apprentices, completing an apprenticeship and gaining a qualification while you work makes financial sense. 

Frequently, companies use a recognised training provider such as e-Careers to provide apprentices with quality training opportunities as they work and gain experience.                       

2. Earn while you learn - Apprenticeships are popular because they remove the cost of traditional education, which means apprentices gain qualifications to support their experience. Another advantage of apprenticeships is that they offer candidates the opportunity to earn a wage while learning new skills. This is very attractive, particularly if the candidate has living expenses, they need to cover themselves and doesn’t want to take out a loan to make ends meet while studying. 

Wages for apprenticeships vary due to age and the type of qualification you are studying for; however, companies are legally obliged to pay apprentices the minimum wage for the duration of their apprenticeship. 

3. Gain real work experience - While the financial benefits of completing an apprenticeship are clear, another advantage offered by apprenticeships is the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the field of your choosing. 

A common complaint among graduates applying for roles is that many so-called entry-level jobs require prior experience for the applicant to be successful. Apprenticeships circumvent this problem by equipping the apprentice with work experience while they earn, meaning that they potentially have the edge on inexperienced applicants in the job market. 

4. Benefit from having the support - As an apprentice, your employer is contractually obliged to support you as you learn. If you are new to the world of work, this support can be invaluable- encouraging you to grow and flourish as a professional. 

As part of the agreement, employers must provide you with a mentor who can raise concerns and ensure you're supervised as you carry out your work. As an apprentice, you should also receive performance and development reviews, and your employer should match your pay as your skills and level of responsibility increase. 

5. Boost your employability - Finally, this option should be an excellent way of increasing employability and work-readiness, and they are a highly effective way of gaining real-world business experience. With an apprentice, an employer benefit from a person who has both a solid professional qualification and practical on-the-job experience. This combination is what makes apprentices highly sought-after by employers. 

It should also be noted that apprentices frequently find opportunities for work after they have completed their apprenticeship and that, often, the company who facilitated the apprenticeship is keen to retain them with the organisation. 

Summary  

In conclusion, there are a wide range of benefits for both employer and apprentice. Apprenticeships offer people of any age (if they are over the age of 16) the opportunity to gain high-quality qualifications while gaining invaluable workplace experience.  

The fact that apprentices can access education while continuing to earn as they learn means that apprenticeships can be a great financial decision for anyone interested in embarking upon a new career journey.  

Call us on +44 (0) 20 3800 0144 to speak to one of our Apprenticeship Consultants today, to discuss your requirements in more detail.