The Real-Life Apprenticeship Experience

So far this National Apprenticeship Week, we’ve looked at the status of apprenticeship training, and at how Davidson Training has adapted to remote delivery.

Now let’s talk about the important bit – the apprenticeship experience.

Adeel, Samira, and Katie have all recently passed end-point assessment for Business Administrator. They’ve taken the time to tell us why they chose an apprenticeship – and about the effect that the experience has had…

Q1. How did you find education in school and/or college?

Adeel:

I did not have a particular favourite subject in my time in secondary school. I felt like I had to go and do an apprenticeship if I was to progress further with my career as I did not enjoy my time at college.

This apprenticeship has helped me to recognize and develop my academic abilities in the broader working world. I would not have been able to gain this experience through college.

Samira:

I found education in school and college very difficult as the final exams would always be difficult for me. No matter how much I studied, I faced such bad anxiety that it hindered me in my tests.

I don’t think I would’ve continued with further education, such as university, as I struggled a lot with college.

Katie:

I found my school and sixth form education to be of mostly a good standard, although it varied between subjects. I could not stay on at my sixth form past Year 13 but they did assist us in finding further education.

Q2. Why did you choose to take an apprenticeship?

Adeel:

I was offered a university position, but I didn’t think the path to university would suit me.

I had an apprenticeship in mind at the same time, and it enabled me to learn and gain experience in the working environment.

Samira:

I chose to do an apprenticeship as I wanted to have the opportunity to learn whilst working. An apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to experience work life and to see if this is a job for me.

Also, an apprenticeship would offer more benefits as most places value experience over qualifications.

Katie:

I applied for university and was offered places, but personally, I am someone who gains the most from learning on the job.

I felt an apprenticeship would be my best option as I could progress with further education through my work.

Q3. What are your aspirations for the future?

Adeel:

I am very open, especially within this organization, to whatever opportunities the future can bring. I take great pride in being versatile and adaptable.

I think that making the most of the moment is the best way to prepare for the future. I applied for this position because it is a great match for my skillset and interests.

Samira:

I would love to go into HR, and when I’m much older I’d like to become a psychologist.

Katie:

I am aiming to complete my CILEx training and qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive as soon as I physically can. I think realistically this will take me around five-six years.

I may then decide to do the two-year LPC to qualify as a solicitor, but that all depends upon my circumstances when that time comes.

Q4. How do you think your life would have gone if you had not taken an apprenticeship?

Adeel:

Personally, I thought that Uni wasn’t for me and that an apprenticeship was a perfect alternative as I will acquire skills and experience. This could potentially help me in the future if I was to progress elsewhere.

Samira:

I think I would have been in a basic job until I decided to do something with my life. My mental health would have been worse as I would have felt as if I wasn’t achieving anything.

Katie:

I would have gone to university and I would now be in my second year. Instead of being employed and working my way up to my goal job, doing a really good course, and gaining experience along the way, I would probably be dreading the upcoming year.

This would be where I would have needed to start job hunting while not having an awful lot of experience on my CV!

Q5. Would you recommend an apprenticeship to anyone in the future?

Adeel:

When it comes to implementing transferable skills, an apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity.

It also gives you the best chance to grow while on the job, increase real-life experience, learn from highly skilled colleagues and become completely qualified.

Samira:

Definitely.

Katie:

Yes, definitely. Each to their own, and if university is for you and the job role you are aspiring to get requires a degree, then obviously uni would be the best path. However, I would definitely urge anyone contemplating their options to seriously consider an apprenticeship. I feel like a lot of people don’t realise how many doors it opens.

I also think teachers in secondary school and sixth form often give the impression that uni is the only option. Perhaps it’s less so recently, but certainly, when I was in sixth form it did feel as though I was ‘expected’ to go to uni, and that if I didn’t, I would have less opportunities.

From speaking to colleagues, this is not the case. In fact, many employers would rather someone who started with them from sixth form or college and gained experience and worked their way up from scratch, over someone coming out of uni with no experience within that area of work.

We’d like to offer our huge thanks to Adeel, Samira, and Katie for all taking the time to talk to us. We wish you all the very best of luck in your future endeavors!

We make apprenticeships work - subscribe to Instructus Skills.