What Are The Benefits Of Apprenticeships?

Just what are the benefits of apprenticeships? How do they help your business and how do the apprentices themselves benefit?

Wikipedia describes apprenticeships as – “Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeship also enable practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated profession. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships. Most of their training is done while working for an employer who helps the apprentices learn their trade or profession, in exchange for their continued labour for an agreed period after they have achieved measurable competencies.”

The potential business benefits

• Reduced costs
• Streamlined recruitment
• Positive return on investment
• Improved staff retention rates
• Increased competitiveness through skilled staff
• Higher quality of work from employees trained ‘on the job’

The potential benefits to the apprentice

• No debt from a student loan
• Employers from all sectors are actively seeking apprentices
• Learn the right skills for the role you’re in
• A vocational qualification can be obtained
• Work experience with a real business that will give your career a kick start
• No need to pay for tuition fees
• You can earn while you learn
• Fast route into your career with great prospects

If you’re thinking of becoming an apprentice then there are some great resources online, including:

• Apprenticeships.org
• Apprenticeships guide
• Find an apprenticeship
• Unusual apprenticeship opportunities

For inspiration and ideas about more unusual career then consider the apprenticeships included in this article from The telegraph. Included in the list are:

• Trainee crime scene photographer
• Technical Illustrator
• Radio Plugger
• Fish Husbandry????
• Tunnelling Operative