The Apprenticeship Levy has come in for a bit of stick over the last year. Whilst the initiative has been praised for it’s good intentions, a recent survey by EEF the Manufacturers Organisation has shown that 95% of businesses want it reformed. Several reasons have been cited such as bureaucracy, impracticality, cost and flexibility. Hopefully we’ll see these kinks ironed out over the next year and we can really start to appreciate the resurgence of the apprenticeship as a learning choice equivalent to that of a degree. But what are the advantages of an apprenticeship?
Earn Whilst you Learn & Gain Experience
Being an apprentice means you are an employee and as such, will receive a wage just like any other employee. Because you are an apprentice however, your pay rate won’t be quite as high as the other full time, experienced members of staff. The very least you can expect is the minimum wage of £3.70 per hour for an apprenticeship however many schemes and companies do offer more.
The key thing to remember here is that this is a ‘training wage’. Once you have completed your learning, you are more likely to earn a lot more. You are also more likely to have a job to go into because of your training which will give you a head start over university leavers who have no ‘on the job’ experience. You’ll also have avoided accumulating any student debt because of your learning, this is because you get the best of both worlds, on-site training from professionals and college education from teachers (most apprenticeships are developed in conjunction with a college)
You Get a Qualification.
An apprenticeship is a work-based, nationally recognised qualification that is now available in a vast range of industries and job roles. Qualifications are not only earned in the classroom; an apprenticeship allows you to earn them in a different way that can benefit you in ways classroom earned qualifications can’t. Apprenticeships can also go beyond advanced levels to a degree qualification.
You Can Build a Network
Most apprenticeships take around 4 years to complete, during this time you have the opportunity to not only establish a rapport with the company training you but also with key figures in the industry. This type of networking can lead to better jobs offers that can help further your career. As long as you have shown enthusiasm and hard work during your training, there’s no reason you cannot excel in your chosen field.
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