Apprenticeships are fast becoming the most popular option for school leavers who want to get stuck into the world of work.
Here are five of the most important things that students, teachers and parents should all know about apprenticeships:
1. Listen to current apprentices to learn more about the pathway. They have experienced it first-hand and can give you tips on how to make the most of your apprenticeship and hopefully find employment afterwards.
2. Apprenticeships are for everyone. Men, women, adults, academic high-achievers, school-leavers; they are a viable career option.
3. You can do any apprenticeship in just about anything now. Think you need a degree to become a lawyer? Nope, not any more.
4. Apprenticeships can pay well. Although the minimum wage for apprentices seems low, the average wage for an apprentice is £170 per week (around £9,000 per year).
5. Employers often favour apprenticeships, because you have real experience of getting the job done, rather than a piece of paper saying you can do it.
