Apprenticeships: how to make the most of your experience
Apprenticeships have come a long way in recent years, offering young people a real alternative to university and a way to gain incredible, career-enhancing work experience.
They offer a great blend of
practical training and learning support.
If you're thinking of undertaking an apprenticeship however,
or know someone who is, it's important to remember that the company itself
isn't the only one who has a responsibility to make the experience as useful as
possible – you do too.
Here's how you can make sure you squeeze every drop of value
out of your apprenticeship.
Choose one that suits you
It sounds obvious, but the best way to make sure you're
fully-engaged with your apprenticeship is to become involved in one that's
based in an industry that appeals to you.
There's more choice now than ever, in terms of the sectors
in which these programmes exist, as you can become involved in programmes in
fields as diverse as banking, engineering, IT and law.
Show apprentice recruiters that you're keen
At this stage, many school leavers are likely to have a
fairly similar level of work experience, so there won't be much setting you
apart.
It's for this reason that it's really important to show that
you're passionate about the opportunity to work for the company and are
interested in the industry, starting right from the interview stage.
If you show that you're really keen to become an apprentice
and put a lot into the experience, your manager is more likely to hand greater
responsibility to you.
For example, if you're interested in working in consultancy,
show that you're up to date with everything that's happened in the sector and
that you're aware of who the key figures are.
Show you have the skills that employers want
Companies need employees who possess certain key qualities,
like the ability to communicate and work well with others.
If you can show that you have these skills and are able to
apply them effectively to your role, your superiors will be more inclined to
trust you to work on important projects.
Show that you're also willing to take on more responsibility
and focus on developing your own ability, through practical work and studying.
Let your positivity shine through on an apprenticeship
From your first interview to the last day of your
apprenticeship, it's always a good idea to show enthusiasm and commitment. This
can be through your body language, attitude and how you interact with your
colleagues.
It doesn't mean that you have to be the loudest or most
outgoing person in the office, or that you should try to be something you're
not.
Instead, it means you should always be willing to help,
polite, courteous, engaged and co-operative. This will help you come across in
a positive light.
Ask questions to learn
One of the goals of an apprenticeship is to develop as a
person, as an employee and to learn valuable professional skills. As you're in
the early part of your career, it's absolutely fine for you to ask questions –
in fact it's expected and likely encouraged.
Don't be scared of asking your manager and colleagues
questions. If anything, this will show that you're keen to learn and help you
become a more effective member of the team.
Listen to your co-workers
Being surrounded by people who have many years of experience
will automatically help you to learn a lot, so just being in a working office
environment will be beneficial to your professional development.
However, if your colleagues offer you specific advice or
insights, it's worth really listening to it and taking it onboard.
After all,
these people have learnt from experience and will only be trying to help you by
passing on their knowledge.
