Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: 6th – 12th February 2023
National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is the 16th annual week-long celebration of apprentices. It brings together businesses and apprentices across the UK to highlight the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
This year, National Apprenticeship Week is taking place from 6th – 12th February. The theme is Skills for Life, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
Top 8 benefits of an apprenticeship
There are many benefits to taking the apprenticeship route into a career, from gaining new skills to achieving industry-recognised qualifications. Below we’ve listed eight of the best things about becoming an apprentice.
- Gain hands-on practical experience
As an apprentice, you will be working with industry professionals, giving you the opportunity to expand your skillset and benefit from their hands-on experience, gained over many years. It also means you can put the theory you might have learned in college to the test in a real-life practical setting and call on your more experienced colleagues for advice and support when needed.
- Earn as you learn
Unlike college and university courses, apprenticeships give you the opportunity to get paid to learn new skills. You will earn a basic salary whilst simultaneously gaining invaluable practical experience, which is designed to set you up for future career success.
University courses will often leave you with considerable student loans to pay off in the future; instead, an apprenticeship will equip you with a strong professional skill set, as well as money in your pocket.
You may also benefit from many in-work perks. You will be entitled to 20 days paid annual leave, plus bank holidays, and may also be able to get involved with schemes run by employers for their staff.
- Enjoy student discounts
Even though you might not be studying at a university, as an apprentice you are still entitled to an NUS student discount card. This can give you great deals on food and drink, special offers in shops and gyms, and often applies both in-store and online.
- Support, mentoring and educational assistance
Apprenticeships offer much more support than you would get from starting a regular job. The staff here at Cyfle and your employers are available to help guide you on the first steps of your career journey. They will give you the support you need, whether that’s providing access to useful educational resources to help your studies or answering work-related questions.
- Plenty of vocational areas to choose from
There are so many different types of apprenticeships out there to choose from – even when you just look at the world of construction – that you are bound to find an option that suits your abilities and interests and can help you on your way to an exciting and rewarding career.
- Gain industry-recognised qualifications and ‘Skills for Life’
An apprenticeship will allow you to gain industry-recognised qualifications, which will validate the skills and knowledge you have acquired during your apprenticeship. These qualifications will help you when applying for work and highlight your value to future employers. Because they are industry-recognised, these qualifications will stand you in good stead throughout your career, improving your future job prospects and helping with your continuing professional development.
- Get used to a real-life work environment
Becoming an apprentice is the perfect way to bridge the gap between school and the world of work, or as an introduction back into work after time away. An apprenticeship can help you get used to a professional, real-life work environment. You will also acquire a raft of transferable skills along the way, including time management, self-reliance, communication, and problem-solving.
- Improve your employability
There’s no substitute for experience, and that is why so many employers often ask for a minimum amount of experience when hiring new staff. Even if you don’t end up with a permanent position with your employer when your apprenticeship ends, the practical experience you have gained and the time you have already spent in work will enable you to demonstrate your expertise and experience to future employers.
The next step…
Our Queen’s Award-winning Shared Apprentice Scheme is available across five local authority regions: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Neath Port-Talbot and Swansea. If you would like to find out more about becoming an apprentice, get in touch here.
