Education | ED03 | Summer 2016

Sponsored by
Tunbridge Wells
An age-old approach to
getting the career you want
Credit: FreeImages.com/Iraine
Apprenticeship schemes are no longer seen as a second choice, or inferior to a university education, and are a
fantastic alternative option, says the employment expert Angela Middleton
What are the principles behind apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships in England date back to the Middle
Ages and the principles behind them remain the same
today, that is, the tradition of the master craftsman
passing down their skills to a young unskilled junior. It is
important to note that apprenticeships have never been
seen as a quick fix and they should have longevity.
The apprentice should continue to move from one level
to the next as they progress with their training and develop
their experience and skill-sets. Traditional apprenticeships
used to be 5-7 years, and this remains the same with the
current categories of 2-7 years. During this time, it is
possible for a young, unskilled apprentice to become the
equivalent of a graduate by the end of an apprenticeship.
The potential to learn is central to an apprenticeship,
as is the ability for an apprentice to develop, taking strides
in their personal and career progression. For young people
who have little-to-no work experience, an apprenticeship
means that the apprentice will gradually build on their
skills, in the form of stepping stones, until one day they
too are accomplished within their chosen field.
Offering apprenticeships is a fantastic means of
building a business and ensuring that innovative, fresh
ideas are put back into a company culture that may be
antiquated. In turn, the apprentice benefits due to the
apprenticeship giving them the ability to start from the
beginning and build a career, in the direction they choose.
What kind of young people are attracted to apprenticeships?
In the early days, we found that most candidates tended to have
a non-academic background and opted for an apprenticeship
because of this. This has changed quite dramatically in recent
years and increasing numbers of apprentices who work
with us are more than capable of completing A levels and a
degree but choose an apprenticeship as their first option.
Although, historically, there has been the assumption
that an apprenticeship is a second option, we are finding
that the balance is getting better. Personally, I’m looking
forward to the day where this is equal, and apprenticeships
are positioned as viable and ambitious first options.
Are there apprenticeships across many professions?
The variety and extensive range of apprenticeships is
something that people often find surprising. Traditional
apprenticeships were often ‘skilled craft’ roles such as carpentry,
but today they span a variety of sectors, with examples of
health and social care, marketing, maritime occupations,
graphic design and production to name just a few.
Who benefits from an apprenticeship? (i.e. employee and
employer?) When an apprenticeship works properly, both
the employer and the employee benefit equally. From the
perspective of the apprentice, they are rewarded with the
experience that they need in order to embark on their
career. The employability skills and training that are gained
www.wealdentimes.co.uk
68