Apprenticeships: How To Get A Job.

Given the difficulties many young people face in finding a job in the current climate, the traditional idea of an apprenticeship is gaining in popularity. Government is investing in apprenticeships, as a way to work with businesses to ensure a supply of people with the right skills.

A shortage of people is predicted in many industries and even controversial fields like fracking create demand for apprentices, not least spurred on by the Chancellor’s UK budget.

Many people and organisations see the apprenticeship route as an effective way to get a job and develop a long-term and rewarding career.

The apprenticeship approach enables people to gain practical experience and relevant training while been paid by a company to take up a future position.

At a time when many young people are unemployed and find it difficult to get jobs, training as an apprentice is an attractive way to gain the skills employers need.

The history of apprenticeships has a long and proud tradition and represents a tried and trusted way of finding an employer and entering the workforce.

There is a renewed focus on apprenticeships with government and employers committed to taking on and training people to ensure the economy grows, as evidenced by last week’s launch of a Northern Ireland Strategy on Apprenticeships by the DEL Minister Stephen Farry.

Large and small employers in all sectors are interested in recruiting apprentices to fill positions and create opportunities, particularly for young people.

The current investment in apprenticeships will, hopefully, lead to a situation where young people can enter an industry with the expectation that they will have a positive future.

Given the current level of interest in apprenticeships, it is worth considering the benefits. They include:

  • the ability to be trained by an employer while gaining a qualification and being paid
  • the real ‘hands-on’ work experience and skills gained during the training period
  • the likelihood of being kept on by an employer after the apprenticeship period ends
  • the ‘on the job’ learning and experience that transfers to other employers
  • the ability to work with others and perform as part of a team

The good news is that apprenticeships are back in fashion and given the need to bridge the skills gap employers will value qualified, experienced and motivated trainees.

SO, people who complete apprenticeships are seen as employable at a time when there is a growing shortage of people to fill jobs.

What do you think?

Is an apprenticeship right for you?

Look forward to your comments.