Apprenticeships continue to provide many people with a platform to find work in new industries.
Over 300,000 people started an apprenticeship in the 2020-21 academic year, with figures remaining consistent despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on many education settings and industries across the workforce.
Here we will look at how an apprenticeship could benefit you if you’re looking to switch careers or start out in the working world in 2022.
How does an apprenticeship work?
In signing up for an apprenticeship, you will combine educational and vocational aspects in your chosen field.
Typically, apprentices will share time between a further education setting like a college or sixth form and a workplace, be it an office, factory or jobsite.
Examinations, either written or practical, will chart your progress through the apprenticeship and you will receive certifications as you pass each stage.
What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?
The vocational element of apprenticeships is paid, so you will earn while you learn as well as picking up job-relevant experience.
By entering the workforce, you can also begin to build up contacts in your industry of interest, something that can greatly enhance your future job prospects.
The awards you will earn through an apprenticeship are often industry-recognised, meaning you may require less training as you take on new jobs – making you a more attractive prospect to hirers.
How do apprenticeships benefit employers?
Apprentice wages are lower than paying full-time salaries, so employers can often bolster their workforce in greater numbers by hiring apprentices, who can then be moulded to perform to the standards and processes set by the company in question.
While inexperience can sometimes lead to errors, this ought not to impede too much on the business’ output. For example, a trainee electrician is more likely to make an error that affects a client, however, proper electrician’s insurance will compensate for this and allow trade to run smoothly.
What kinds of apprenticeships are available?
The scope of the many apprenticeships on offer is vast, leaving pretty much no area of future work untouched. No matter your interests, skills or experience, there is likely an apprenticeship that fits the bill.
Here are the many categories of apprenticeship available.
- Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
- Arts, Media and Publishing
- Business, Administration and Law
- Construction, Planning and the Built Environment
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
- Health, Public Services and Care
- History, Philosophy and Theology
- Information and Communication Technology
- Languages, Literature and Culture
- Leisure, Travel and Tourism
- Preparation for Life and Work
- Retail and Commercial Enterprise
- Science and Mathematics
- Social Sciences
Will you change the direction of your career with an apprenticeship in 2022? Let us know in the comments!
