Apprenticeships enable you to build hands-on experience whilst gaining a qualification in your chosen industry.
Whether you’re actively looking for apprenticeship opportunities, or trying to decide between going to university, applying for jobs, or starting a training programme, this blog will take you through the main benefits of doing an apprenticeship.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a chance to shape your future career!
Simply put, an apprenticeship is a paid job where you also receive in-depth training that is relevant to your role. They are a great way to start your career or move into a new industry. With an apprenticeship, you’ll be employed in a real job while studying to achieve a recognised qualification, all while earning your own wage!
Apprenticeships provide the perfect blend of technical training and hands-on industry experience. By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have all the skills you need to take the next steps in your career.
Not only does an apprenticeship kickstart your career, but you will also gain transferrable workplace skills and experience throughout your programme.
Read More: What Does an Apprenticeship Involve?
What are the benefits of apprenticeships?
Undertaking an apprenticeship brings endless benefits. Read on for our top five advantages of doing an apprenticeship:
1. Earn while you learn
A significant benefit of doing an apprenticeship is that you will earn your own salary whilst gaining an industry-recognised qualification.
The 2024 National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £6.40 per hour, but many employers pay more than this. Some training providers, including Baltic Apprenticeships have signed the Apprentice Decent Wage Pledge. This means we actively promote higher wages for our apprentices to ensure our training opportunities are sustainable.
Not only do you earn a salary as an apprentice, but you won’t have to pay any training fees – unlike higher education where the average graduate is left with around £44,000 debt after university. Apprenticeships are fully funded by employers and the UK government.
2. improve your employability
An apprenticeship offers at least one year in industry, picking up practical working knowledge and skills that will be attractive to any employer. As you are trained whilst working, apprenticeship training is much more industry specific. You’ll focus on developing skills for a specific career and gain knowledge which you can apply immediately to your job.
At Baltic, 95% of apprentices are employed after they complete their programme, with many working on a higher-level apprenticeship qualification.
3. Achieve recognised qualifications
An apprentice who successfully completes their apprenticeship programme will gain a qualification in the level and subject they studied. A Level 3 apprenticeship is equivalent to A Levels, while a Level 4 is equivalent to a foundation degree. These qualifications are the perfect way to boost your employability in your chosen field.
4. gain real-life industry experience
Apprentices gain immediate exposure on how businesses operate and through this, they can gain many new skills and behaviours. Real-life industry practice and hands on knowledge is a great way to start your career by learning from colleagues who are already successful in the industry. Apprentices have the ability to put what they learn straight into practice in their working life and quickly rise through the ranks of many organisations.
5. invest in your future
Undertaking an apprenticeship is a great investment into your future. Apprenticeships offer many opportunities for career progression.
The knowledge, skills and experience you will accumulate during an apprenticeship – along with your qualification – will put you at a distinct advantage when pursuing new opportunities, demonstrating your expertise, and taking your career to the next level.
Apprentices vs Graduates
University is a great choice for those looking to advance their knowledge in a specific subject but graduating with little to no work experience can make it difficult to land a role in a competitive job market. Undertaking an apprenticeship is a more practical approach as you will have already done at least a year of experience in industry before looking to advance your career further. Often, it’s not a case of going to university or doing an apprenticeship – many graduates later choose to start their career through an apprenticeship programme.
Read More: Can You Do an Apprenticeship if You Have a Degree?
Apprenticeship progression routes
Completing an apprenticeship doesn’t have to be the end of your learning journey, and it shouldn’t be. The most successful people never stop learning, instead, they adopt a mindset to constantly develop their knowledge through continuous professional development.
Apprenticeships don’t start and end with a Level 3 qualification, they can advance all the way up to a Level 7 qualification, which is equivalent to a postgraduate degree!
These progression steps offer a structured and comprehensive professional development plan, helping you enhance your skills and climb the career ladder.
find out more:
If an apprenticeship sounds like the right option for you to kickstart your career, check our latest vacancies or browse our apprenticeship programmes to find out more.