Have you ever wondered, “Which apprenticeship is right for me?”. It’s great that you’re considering doing an apprenticeship. We firmly believe that everyone, no matter their age or ability, can benefit from learning and training through an apprenticeship. However, just like all choices about your future, it’s important not to rush into it. Apprenticeships are a commitment, and choosing the wrong one can be a waste of time and effort for both you and the employer.
In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of taking the time to plan out your future, discuss some of the most popular apprenticeships, and offer some expert advice on how you can find the perfect apprenticeship for you.
Let’s dive right in!
Why Taking the Time to Assess Your Options is Important
Those who choose to go to university or college to do further study spend plenty of time thinking about their options and weighing up the pros and cons of different locations and courses. When considering an apprenticeship, you need to do the same, whatever your reason for starting an apprenticeship may be.
Apprenticeships combine working for a company, with at least 20% of your time spent on off-the-job training. This means that an apprenticeship isn’t just a job but also a way for you to progress your skills and career. If you choose an industry or sector that isn’t right for you in the long term, then you may end up having to quit an apprenticeship and start a lower-level apprenticeship again.
Part of our ethos at Employing an Apprentice is equipping young people with as much information as possible. Our aim is to ensure that you can make well-informed, confident decisions about your future. So, if you need any advice on beginning an apprenticeship, have a look at our resources for apprentices.
Popular Types of Apprenticeships
While apprenticeships are available in a whole range of industries and careers, some sectors are better suited to the vocational training of an apprenticeship. If you are interested in an apprenticeship that will lead to the highest salaries or any other kind, make sure to have a look at our apprenticeship board for the latest opportunities.
Here are some of the most popular types of apprenticeships in the UK:
Engineering
Engineering apprenticeships cover a whole range of construction, technical and scientific roles. To do an apprenticeship in engineering, you need to have an interest and background experience in science. This is a popular type of apprenticeship due to its high employability prospects.
→ Explore Engineering apprenticeships
Business and Administration
Business and Administration apprenticeships are increasingly popular in the UK and provide opportunities for individuals to gain practical skills and knowledge in various aspects of business operations. This includes accounting, finance, human resources, and office administration among others.
→ Explore Business and Administration apprenticeships
Nursing
Medical and healthcare apprenticeships are growing rapidly; there are even discussions about using apprenticeships as an alternative route to becoming a doctor. Nursing apprenticeships are usually offered at degree level. This means they combine a university degree with practical nurse training, all whilst earning a full salary from the get-go.
→ Explore Nursing apprenticeships
Digital Marketing
A less vocational industry which has plenty of great apprenticeship opportunities is marketing. Digital marketing is a form of marketing that utilises technology and the internet to market services or a product. Apprenticeships in digital marketing are a great way to get direct experience in marketing while gaining relevant qualifications.
→ Explore Sales and Marketing apprenticeships
Education and Childcare
One popular type of apprenticeship is working in childcare and education. You can begin at the intermediate level, and work your way through each apprenticeship stage, going right up to degree standard. There is a whole range of careers in education and childcare, including teaching, working in a nursery, working with children with additional needs, and many more.
→ Explore Education and Childcare apprenticeships
Tips for Finding the Perfect Apprenticeship for You
Some young people know exactly what direction they want to take after leaving school. However, more often than not, knowing which job or apprenticeship is right for you is a real challenge.
Here are some tips for anyone who’s wondering, “Which apprenticeship is right for me?”:
- Assess your skills and where your strengths lie. This can be a great way to work out which industries and careers you could excel in.
- Think about what you enjoy, both inside of education and outside of it. Whatever career path you take, it’s essential that you enjoy what you do.
- Speak to as many people as you can for advice. This might be teachers, people at careers fairs, friends or family. The more advice you can get, the better informed your choices will be.
- Make sure you understand apprenticeships and what they entail. Our site has a whole host of resources and information to help you understand precisely what apprenticeships are, how much money you can expect to earn, and how to apply for them.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have all the necessary information, there’s only one step left. When you’re ready to begin your search for apprenticeships, head over to our apprenticeship jobs board for all the latest opportunities in your area. Our blog section has a whole host of useful guides and posts about common topics related to apprenticeships.
Of course, if there’s anything you can’t find and want to ask us, feel free to contact our team and we’ll get back to you. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below for all the latest apprenticeship opportunities from Employing an Apprentice.
FAQs
Can I Change My Apprenticeship Easily If I Don’t Like It?
Here at Employing an Apprentice, we fully understand that sometimes things in life things may not turn out to be what you expected. This goes for apprenticeships too. First and foremost, you are free to leave an apprenticeship at whatever stage if you feel the need to do so. Essentially it is the same as if you were in a regular job; your contract will state the period of notice you must give your employer if you want to leave.
However, it is important to know that you will not gain a qualification despite possibly completing a substantial amount of work if you leave your apprenticeship before completion. This is something you should consider when making your decision. You may carry this work with you to another job to complete the apprenticeship with a new employer.
Do I Need Work Experience to do an Apprenticeship?
This is an extremely common question which seems to have taken on many different answers over time. In reality, work experience is not strictly mandatory for all apprenticeships. That being said, some employers may prefer you to have some relevant work experience. This could also put you ahead of others during the application process.
For more detailed information, see our dedicated post on Do I Need Work Experience to Do an Apprenticeship?
