Apprenticeship Week
So, last week was National Apprenticeship Week, a whole week celebrating and showcasing the abilities of its apprentices with hundreds of events and activities across the country, and encouraging people to train while on the job, creating new opportunities for both themselves and the industries they are in.
The success of previous National Apprenticeship Weeks, especially during 2018, tells us that one week dedicated to celebrating, promoting and realising the importance of apprenticeships and their impact enables an apprenticeship movement across all sectors. This movement sees employers, providers, partners and apprentices themselves grasp the opportunity and get involved, creating fascinating events and opportunities to share the many benefits apprenticeship bring.
So why am I writing a blog? Apprenticeship week got me thinking, when I was in my last few years of secondary school having to decide what path to go down next, my choices were College, University or straight into the working world – there was no ‘middle ground’ and therefore, nothing that fitted me. Was I odd? Likely, but none-the-less, if I had known about apprenticeships I would have, without a doubt, chosen this as path to go down next. Instead, I went into the working world, doing a City & Guilds course on the side for years to come.
Working full time and doing a home learning course was hard, expensive and time consuming. An apprenticeship would have been quicker, cheaper and I would have been more ‘experienced’ in the field I qualified.
So, when you are telling your children, nieces, nephews, the girl in the corner shop or the boy in the local take-away that they should go to University or get a full-time job, remember there is another option – not an option that suits everyone, but for those who are more ‘hands on’, absolutely a better option!
If you are an employer who doesn’t hire Apprentices, why not? They are young, determined, excited and willing to learn within their chosen field. YOU get to the person to help them take their first steps into their working life, watching them go from a 17-year-old, nervous, inexperienced student to a knowledgeable, reliable and experienced worker within 12-24 months (depending on the length of the course).
Whether you are a parent, teacher, student or employer, speak to your local College today to learn more about apprenticeships!
More information on National Apprenticeship Week 2019 can be found on GOV.UK, follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter or National Apprenticeship Service on Linked In.