All aboard the apprentice-ship
The popularity of apprenticeships continues to increase in the UK in recent years, and it’s not just school and college leavers who are seeing this as a positive route into employment. People are seeing an apprenticeship as a step-change into a new career path, not just a route to starting into the world of work.
As long as you are aged at least sixteen years by the end of the summer holidays and you are not in full-time education, anybody can apply to become an apprentice, and there is no upper age limit for becoming an apprentice, so your age shouldn’t affect whether you’ll get onto an apprentice scheme.
So, whether you are just setting out into the world of employment, or considering a change of career, an apprenticeship could be the perfect route for you. Here are my top five reasons why:
You will be earning while you are learning
You can earn a fair income whilst you are in training and developing new skills. You will be entitled to the national minimum wage for an apprentice, which is currently set at ￡3.90 per hour. This applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year.
An excellent way to start, or change, your career
Even if you don’t have any experience, an apprenticeship scheme allows you to start your journey into the professional career of your choice. If you are aged 16-18 and have recently left school, an apprenticeship will work to offer you an NVQ in levels 2, 3 or 4. All of this experience and qualifications will help make you a much stronger, more employable candidate in the future.
Get all the training and experience you need
You will be working in real-world environments giving the option to gain all the essential experience you need. Typically, all of the training you receive from an apprenticeship takes place on the job, so you will be learning in the same place you are working.
Cost
There is no cost to you, it is completely free, and the company that provides it to you can receive government funding if they take you on. A win-win for both you and the employer.
An alternative option of going to University
Which is better, an apprenticeship or attending University? The answer lies with the individual. You should take the route that is more suited to your needs and your circumstances. If you don’t want to attend university, apprenticeships offer a great option, for all the reasons I’ve stated so far.
“You are never too old to become an apprentice. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new and gain more qualifications; even go into a new career.”
At Bromford, we want our people to be successful – not just doing great things but also thriving in their roles. We have been investing in our leaders and our training programmes, and we are putting considerable investment into apprenticeships and graduates as well, aiming to attract 100 to work for us over the next five years.
If you would be interested to hear more about becoming an apprentice at Bromford, you can register your details with us and we will let you know as soon as we post any new opportunities in your area.