If the word ‘apprentice’ conjures images of scary businessmen shouting: “You’re fired!”, fear not: that’s not normally what apprenticeships involve!
We’ve asked our coaches to tell us about when they started work, why they chose an apprenticeship and how it changed their life.
In this short film, our coaches explain what doing an apprenticeship or starting work was like for them.
"An apprenticeship is where you can get the same qualifications that you wanted in college, but you can learn on the job and find out if the job suits you."
"An apprenticeship is extremely different from school. In school, you’re in a classroom, you’re studying specific subjects. An apprenticeship, you’re focused on one job role that’s going to be your speciality. But in a way, it can be easier, because you’re only focused on one thing."
"I’m getting qualifications, getting paid, they’ve given me a house. It’s amazing. But then, there’s a different apprenticeship that wouldn’t give you as much as the one I’m on. So, you need to research the one you wanna do."
"You suddenly go from working every day and being around people who are your peers and the same age and in the same place in their lives to sharing an office with a man or a woman in their 50s who have very, very different perspectives on life than what you are, but you may be expected to do the same job."
"My apprenticeship’s, kind of, really helped me develop myself not in just areas of knowledge about engineering. For example, when I first started, I absolutely hated talking to people that I didn’t know or going to meetings. But that’s, kind of, a part of daily life in my apprenticeship."
"I always struggled speaking in front of people and I always struggled with phone calls so that’s definitely increased my confidence. I can’t believe where I am, now."
"When I started my apprenticeship, it was a massive, kind of, curveball in my career, and again, it was a case of pushing myself out of my comfort zone, which, at a young age, not many people like to do. In terms of skills, I really tried to push myself to do as many presentations as I could, leading groups and really do stuff that I knew were my weaknesses and learn skills that you probably wouldn’t have, before."
"There are loads of opportunities available for you, throughout, from the start to the end of the apprenticeship."
"The apprenticeship lasted 18 months, or it was supposed to last 18 months. I completed it in a year. And I’ve been there ever since, now. I’ve got a permanent position as a technical analyst."
"So, it is the best of both worlds. And, kind of, I’m still learning, not only at university but all the more experienced people at my office are constantly teaching me as well, so I’m getting the best of both worlds, of an education and work, a career, I’m getting in no debt and I’m getting paid."
If you want to do an apprenticeship, remember:
- There are many different types and levels of apprenticeships, so do your research
- Different levels of apprenticeships will have different entry requirements, so make sure you have the grades or qualifications you need
- When you do an apprenticeship you are normally required to work as well as study towards a qualification, so it can be quite full-on
- You can do an apprenticeship in lots of different fields, from media to business, from construction to social care
- If you want to hear more, watch our experts talk about apprenticeships.
Starting work as an apprentice
Our experts on all things apprenticeships
Can I mix A-levels and vocational qualifications?
Our Mind Set experts talk through the different options available.
Switching to a vocational pathway
The Mind Set coaches talk about their experiences of switching from classroom-based learning to a more practical route.
