Five Reasons an Apprenticeship is For You!

Choosing what you want to do once you finish school is both an exciting and daunting time, with lots of decisions to be made and the start of the next stage of life after school! To help you decide what to do next, we’ve put together a guide to break down the benefits of apprenticeships and show you how they can offer an alternative to college or A-Levels, helping you adapt to the world of work.

1) Earn while you learn
Apprenticeships offer you the chance to earn a salary. They are paid jobs with time set aside for study to gain industry knowledge and skills. You’ll train on-the-job with your employer, and spend time with us in our state-of-the-art facilities learning from our experts. You’ll even enjoy paid holidays, so you can work and play hard!

2) Stay in education until 18, but not in school!
You now need to stay in education until you reach the age of 18 – but that doesn’t mean that you have to stay in school. Our full-time courses and apprenticeships allow you to get hands-on with your chosen trade. If you’re not quite ready for an apprenticeship, our full-time courses provide the perfect stepping stone, with hands-on learning and work experience placements.

3) Gain valuable work experience
Competition for jobs is fierce! By choosing an apprenticeship, you’ll often have an advantage over your peers as you’ll be able to draw on all the practical experience and knowledge that you’ve developed throughout your apprenticeship. In fact, many of our apprentices stay with their employer as a permanent employee once they’ve completed their qualification.

4) Support every step of the way
We want you to succeed! Throughout your qualification, you’ll be supported and guided by your assessor who will work closely with you to help you achieve your goals. Our dedicated Learner Support Team is also always on hand to provide friendly and professional advice whenever you need it.

5) Wide options available in the future
Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, the world is your oyster! From remaining with your employer in a permanent role, to continuing with further qualifications or even going to university, apprenticeships provide a fantastic foundation to launch your career!

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School