subject: The Advantages And Disadvantages To Taking An Apprenticeship [print this page] It seems that with university fees constantly on the rise, an increasing number of people are beginning to see the advantages that come with taking on an apprenticeship. When leaving school its fair to say that there are enough options available to overwhelm most people, let alone a sixteen year old who doesnt know exactly what they want from life yet. Amongst the choices that are available there is the option of an apprenticeship, this should certainly be considered for a number of reasons.
By taking an apprenticeship you will be able to gain qualifications and work experience at the same time, this is of great importance. Anyone who has graduated from university will be all too aware of the importance of work experience. As the number of people going to university grew every year a degree quickly became worth less and less, and now it seems that it does not stand alone in many situations, most employers will choose a candidate that has previous experience over one that has a degree. So as a result university graduates are left in this sort of catch 22 situation, where they need work experience but cannot get a job without already having it. There are ways round this situation such as voluntary work but it certainly demonstrates the importance of hands on experience, which you can get in an apprenticeship.
Another advantage to taking an apprenticeship is the security that it provides - as mentioned many university graduates these days are graduating with highly commendable qualifications and yet little hope of finding work in the near future. By choosing an apprenticeship you will be far less likely to find yourself in this type of situation, you will gain valuable experience and qualifications simultaneously and even earn some money whilst doing so.
There is certainly a lot in the way of potential in an apprenticeship, you may be able to gain a wide range of experience by moving from department to department and learning how each aspect of the business works. This sort of overview can be useful in deciding where exactly you might want to work. Furthermore you will form many contacts and relationships that in years to come could prove to be extremely useful. There is a lot to be said for learning a business from the ground up, and although you will have to start on minimum wage by the time you finish your apprenticeship you will hit the ground running.
