subject: Would "the Apprentice" Tv Show Put You Off An Apprenticeship? [print this page] If you have been put off becoming an apprentice by Lord Sugar's programme, think again - there are great opportunities available for young people to earn money while learning with helpful employers.
So the Apprentice, our favourite TV program, started again this week with Lord Sugar welcoming a new selection of budding entrepreneurs. The 16 aspiring tycoons have come from all over the UK with a varied selection of backgrounds including an ex-Marine Commando, an unemployed graduate and a cleaner. It appears Lord Sugar has seen something in all of them to get them to this stage. There are a number of characteristics that keep re-occurring in the shows contestants, some as we know appear to be seriously misguided about their level of business genius or are z- list wannabe's however a few have actually showed sensible business acumen, that they can lead and handle pressure without having to resort to petty insults of the other contestants.
Lord Sugar welcomed them with: "I've read all your CVs and on paper you all look very good. But then again so does fish and chips. I need someone who is dynamic and ambitious and is not scared to take a risk. I'm not interested in any Steady Eddies or Cautious Carols. I'm looking for someone who is exceptional."
So what is in store for them this time? This week has seen them selling sausages and this series promises to see them running a fashion retail outlet, creating a new cleaning product, taking tourists on an open bus tour, between a few others. One would think there's nothing out of the ordinary there for the so called business stars of the future to struggle with right? However if we look back over the past few series it is remarkable how many fell into crazy behaviour and made a very basic task complex or just missed the point completely. Not easy to forget "pants man" or the gym in box or the bitter rambling of a psychotic contestant faced with the realisation that they were clearly floored...
Luckily the real apprenticeship world is very different from the TV show: every year thousands of apprentices are employed by some of the UK's biggest and best employers such as Morrisons, British Gas, and BT between many others.
One of the best ways of gaining qualifications and real workplace experience is through an apprenticeship. You can earn as you learn and gain practical skills from the workplace. Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualication's and earning money all at the same time.
You work towards a work-based qualication such as a National Vocational Qualication (NVQ) and other nationally recognised qualications. Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on which one you choose as they vary in content and size. www.notgoingtouni.co.uk is a website that highlights all the options available outside of the traditional university route, and where you can find 1,000's of opportunities and video case studies to help you choose your career path.
