5 Reasons to choose an apprenticeship

Doing an apprenticeship isn’t quite like the Apprentice you see on TV! You won’t be called into the boardroom, grilled by Lord Sugar, and told “you’re fired!”

So, what’s it really like to be an apprentice and why should you consider it?

During an apprenticeship, you’re employed to do a job while studying towards a qualification, making it a great alternative to studying A Levels or taking a full time course at college. Lots of ambitious young people choose to take the apprenticeship route at Coleg Gwent and here’s why…

1. Get a recognised qualification

The great thing about an apprenticeship is that it’s on-the-job training, so you won’t feel like you’re still in school and stuck in a classroom. Instead, you’ll gain real experience in the world of work, and you’ll still come out of it with a valuable qualification that means something to employers! You’ll learn all the practical skills and knowledge that’s relevant to your chosen career, while working towards competencies to achieve your qualification. You can even work towards higher level qualifications like HNDs, HNCs and Foundation Degrees.

2. Become more employable

The skills you learn during an apprenticeship are much more than just the hands-on skills and knowledge you need to master for your role. Alongside these key skills, you’ll also learn the subtle art of communication, how to deal with difficult situations, how to manage your time and prioritise tasks, and how to work well as part of a team. These are skills you simply can’t learn in the classroom, but they’re vital in working life and will shine on your CV and make you more employable.

3. Be paid to learn

Apprenticeships are funded by employers and the government, so it’s a form of study that’s completely free for learners. This means you’ll have no student loans or tuition fees, so it won’t cost you a bean. But it’s not just work experience or an unpaid internship, it’s actual paid work and you’ll earn a real wage and receive a pay cheque every month for doing it! Apprentices earn a minimum wage based on their age, with some employers offering more than the national minimum wage, as well as other benefits like paid annual leave.

4. Climb the career ladder

By choosing the apprenticeship route, you’ll be learning on-the-job and getting a head start in your career. You’ll be stepping on the career ladder years before university graduates, so you can start earning and progressing faster. With all that experience under your belt, you’ll become an expert in your trade and there will be opportunities for you to climb the career ladder and progress quickly. A lot of companies also train apprentices as their future workforce, creating roles for you once you’ve completed your qualification!

5. Discover a variety of careers

We have apprentices working in all sorts of industries at Coleg Gwent. Did you know you could get an apprenticeship in hospitality and catering? It’s not just an option for the building trades, as apprenticeships are actually available across many sectors that you might not have realised before. There are a range of subjects you can explore, from bricklaying to computing, and hospitality to healthcare – so it’s a fantastic route into a wide range of careers. Our apprentices are working with an exciting mix of employers across different industries, from Stately Albion and BAE Systems, to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and 2 Sisters Food Group.

Here’s what our apprentices say

With all these fantastic reasons to choose an apprenticeship, let’s hear what our apprentices at Coleg Gwent have to say…

“I’d highly recommend an apprenticeship for someone who’s just come out of school, in their teens, or at the start of their twenties. You can kickstart a new career and then progress from there.”

Jaden Richards, Diploma Level 2 NVQ Fabrication and Welding

“My youngest son is in college now doing his second year and he was a bit shocked that I was going to college too. I said, you’re never too old to learn and it just goes to prove, put your mind to it and you can do anything!”

Paula Flook, Diploma Level 2 NVQ Professional Cookery

“I chose an apprenticeship because it’s a more hands on experience and I find it’s easier to learn when you’re doing what they’re trying to teach you about.”

Jade Parry, Diploma Level 3 NVQ Ext Engineering Maintenance (Electrical) EAL

“There are so many benefits – I’ve been on many courses, gained lots of industry experience and met lots of professionals who are experts in their area. It’s something that I just couldn’t get in any other route – I’ve gained four years of industry experience and can apply what I learn in the classroom on site.”

Tom Burgess, Diploma Level 3 NVQ in Engineering Technologies

If you think an apprenticeship could be the right route for you and want to find out more, get in touch with us today to explore your options as an apprentice at Coleg Gwent.