With rising tuition fees at universities across the UK, more and more young people are opting to undertake apprenticeships instead. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn skills whilst on the job (which means you have the added bonus of earning a bit of cash!). Apprenticeships have been developed in a number of industries involving many different types of companies, from small local companies to national companies like British Gas. Here we will help you with information on where you can do an apprenticeship that will suit you and help you kick start your career.
There are more than 200 different types of apprenticeships available, covering over 1,200 job roles. There are lots of important things to think about when you’re deciding where to do your apprenticeship, not least of all your interests and existing experiences. No-one wants to end up in a job that bores them senseless, do they?!
Apprenticeship Areas
The first step would be to decide which area you want to do an apprenticeship in. Some examples are:
Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
Business, Administration and Law
Education and Training
Health, Public Services and Care
Information and Communication Technology
Retail and Commercial Enterprise
Opportunities
After you have decided which sector your interests lie, it is a good idea to check out the apprenticeship opportunities in that sector in your local area. There are lots of websites out there listing apprenticeships vacancies so have a look around to get a feel for all the opportunities available.
However, you don’t need to limit yourself to the vacancies on these websites. Many companies will be aware of the benefits of apprenticeships to their own business but might not be actively recruiting. Have a go at writing a letter to companies that you are interested in working for as an apprentice asking if they would be willing to take you on – they could well be impressed by your proactive thinking!
Another place that apprenticeships can be found is with local colleges. Have a look at the profile of colleges in your local area to see what they can offer. Colleges often have great facilities available for their apprenticeships students – so what are you waiting for!