One of the most ancient–not to mention effective–ways of learning something complex is through an apprenticeship. Before universities were even a glimmer in some long-bearded intellectual’s eye, people across the known world were learning by being apprenticed to a master, who taught them the secrets of their trade and put them through a rigorous, long-term period of preparation to stand on their own two feet as a master practitioner of their trade.
Even in the face of the development of schools, universities and huge technological changes that have made many old crafts and skills a thing of the past, apprenticeships continue to flourish to this very day. And it’s little wonder, given how they are one of the best–and sometimes the only–way to pursue a wide range of specialist careers. If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. And there’s no better way to learn how to do it right than through an apprenticeship.
To make sure the current young generation follows in the footsteps of countless ones before them, the government is eager to promote apprenticeships. In that spirit, it launched National Apprenticeship Week, which will celebrate its fifth year between 11th and 15th March this year.
In addition to generally promoting and raising awareness of apprenticeships, this year National Apprenticeship Week is based around the theme “Apprenticeships Deliver” as part of the National Apprenticeship’s Service’s wider “New Era for Apprenticeships” campaign, which aims to bring apprenticeships bang up to date with the demands of the twenty-first century.
The “Apprenticeships Deliver” theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week has a clear goal: making young people see the many different ways they can develop as people by completing an apprenticeship.
Foremost among these are the opportunities for career progression that apprenticeships can offer. With apprenticeship schemes for 1,400 different types of job in over 250 different sectors of the economy, apprenticeships are a great foot in the door for young people. And because they always lead to qualifications and certifications, they offer a real chance to become a leader in whichever field you choose to go into.
And there are personal opportunities in the short-term as well. While students at universities and colleges are living off loans and racking up massive tuition fees, not only do apprentices not have to pay for their training, they also get paid from the earliest months of their apprenticeship.
Businesses of all sizes are always eager to get their hands on talented young folks and shape them into experts in their sector. And as a result, they’ll be keen to get involved in National Apprenticeship Week. So when March comes round don’t be surprised to see all sorts of activities organised by companies up and down the country aimed at showing you why an apprenticeship could just be the making of you.
So if you’re weighing up your options for your future career and having read our excellent university guides still aren’t sure higher education would be the right choice for you, keep your eyes open for National Apprenticeship Week events near you.