Why You Should Consider an Apprenticeship

When you’ve finished secondary school and you’re considering your career options, it can feel a little overwhelming. Not everyone wants to attend university, but it can be difficult to get your foot in the door of the job of your dreams without prior experience or continuing education. You can even seek out a valuable apprenticeship as an adult.

Apprenticeships create valuable learning opportunities in a variety of fields. They can give you the boost you need to get your foot in the door, gain active experience, and receive opportunities to get paid while you’re training for the job you want. 

While many people tend to view apprenticeships as outdated, nothing could be further from the truth. There can be a lot of value in working beneath someone, learning new techniques, as well as tricks of the trade. Apprenticeships, in many ways, are a lot like networking while learning valuable skills along the way. 

Still not convinced? Let’s take a closer look at why you should consider an apprenticeship, and how it can benefit you in the modern job market. 

Earn While You Learn

A single person’s estimated monthly costs of living in the U.K. are 686.45£ — before rent. While the cost of living in the UK is generally lower than in countries like the U.S., that’s still significant for someone just starting out on their own. 

Attending university can put you in debt almost immediately. Even if you’ve decided on a trade, you might need to attend a special school or specific program to build up the skills needed to succeed. An apprenticeship allows you to bypass that. You’ll learn on the job immediately, but you’ll also get paid while you learn. You might not make as much as the person/people training you, but it’s a good way to start building up your budget and setting money aside. If you’re still living at home, you can put a lot of what you make into savings, investing in your own place later once your apprenticeship is done and you have a full-time career. 

Speaking of which, being an apprentice isn’t just about earning money now. There’s a good chance that you could end up getting hired by the business you’re doing an apprenticeship with. Many businesses are eager to hire people who know how they operate and what they expect. If you’ve spent weeks, months, or years learning from someone higher in the company, it can be more worthwhile for them to hire you than to risk bringing someone new on board that will require even more training. 

Skilled Trades Will Always Need People

There’s no denying that some jobs will eventually be replaced by technology. Already, thanks to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), many jobs are being taken over by computers, including: 

• Proofreading;
• Data entry;
• Customer service;
• Retail service;
• Courier service.

Most trades require hands-on skills that can’t be replicated by robots. Many of them are considered “old school” jobs, but there’s a ton of security in many of these careers. Once you get your foot in the door and learn the skills necessary to succeed, there’s a good chance you can enjoy a long and successful career in your trade. Some of the most popular jobs that won’t be replaced by AI include carpenters, mechanics, electricians, and farm workers. 

That isn’t to say technology won’t impact these careers. Already, we’ve seen huge technological advancements in farm equipment and agricultural practices. These are designed to make the jobs more efficient and to yield better results. At the end of the day, however, these industries will always need qualified people at the helm to make sure things are working properly. 

Not All Apprenticeships Are for Old School Jobs

While careers in construction and farming might be the most popular for apprenticeships, there are many tech jobs that also utilize apprenticeships to help employees learn and grow without having to go to a university or special program. 

For example, if you’re interested in being a software developer, it can certainly help to have a degree. However, if you already have a basic understanding of coding and data structures, you might be able to get your foot in the door of a development company looking for qualified individuals. By learning beneath the people there, you’ll grow according to their needs and can eventually get hired full-time. 

Some of the biggest corporations in the world utilize apprenticeships for different tech jobs, including: 

• Microsoft;
• Pinterest;
• Airbnb;
• Google.

It’s a misconception that jobs in the tech sector always require a degree. If you have a specific career path in mind, don’t be afraid to search for apprenticeships rather than limiting yourself to full-time careers right away. 

Being an apprentice can turn you into a lifelong learner. Even when you graduate from being an apprentice to mastering your craft, you’ll have a growth mindset that continues to drive you forward in your career. Whether you’re trying to decide what you want to do with your life or you want a solid alternative to university or a trade school, consider looking for apprenticeships that interest you, and you can start gaining career experience right away.