My Apprenticeship Experience

When it comes to education, much of the UK is stuck in the traditional mind-set that students have to follow the path of GCSEs, A-levels and then onto university to enter the world of work, yet there are now so many other options available. Apprenticeships are one such option however they carry a negative stigma among students as something people do if they haven’t got good enough grades to get into university.

It’s not only students who need educating on what apprenticeships are and the opportunities they create, but also teachers and careers advisors as they have a massive influence over students views on their education as they trust them, and many think university is the best option for everyone.

A prime example of this came a few months ago when my colleague’s younger brother had a meeting with his careers advisor. When he asked about apprenticeships, he was simply told that by doing one he’ll not get the same life experience as he would going to university, and he should aim to get the grades needed to qualify for his course.

Luckily for me, my school was a strong supporter of apprenticeships and made it clear that they are just another route into the world of work and my career prospects wouldn’t lower by doing one. Thanks to this information, I decided to do an apprenticeship rather than go to university and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made; I’m currently sitting in an entry level role, on an entry level wage at the age of just 19!

While doing my apprenticeship not only did I achieve a qualification through having monthly one-to-one meetings with my tutor and having two hours a week dedicated during each week to complete my work, I also gained one year’s work experience which is critical when it comes to getting a job. This is one of the major pros of apprenticeships compared to university; I know many people who come out of university and struggle to get entry level roles and have to settle for internships to build up their experience.

And on top of all of that, you get paid a wage rather than accumulating a £27,000+ debt!

I believe the skills I learnt and the professional experience I gained by doing an apprenticeship got me the role of Marketing and Events Assistant for DMA Talent. By doing an apprenticeship you show employers that you don’t just follow the norm which sets you apart from other candidates.

My advice for people thinking of doing an apprenticeship is to go for it as it’s something they won’t regret doing, even if it’s just something they do between their A-levels and university studies. The things you learn about the world of work will set you up for the rest of your career and the experience will allow you to ensure that the career you’re looking to pursue is right for you without committing three plus years of your life to it and a lot of money.

Got a question about apprenticeships? Drop me a line at James.Dredge@theidm.com