If you have left full time education, or are going to leave in the near future, you may be aware that one of the options available to you is an apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships allow you to work, and therefore earn money, while at the same time working towards a nationally recognised qualification. You can begin an apprenticeship once your are 16 and it must be completed by your 25th birthday. Taking an engineering apprenticeship will open up a wide variety of careers.
An engineer designs and constructs countless things all around us. From aircraft to cars, televisions to bridges, the list is endless. Depending on what job you decide to do, or which company you work for, an apprenticeship will involve you working and learning on the job while at the same at time attending a local college on a regular basis.
Engineering can be a very lucrative career and along with the training that comes with it, if you are prepared to work hard, you will be set for a good, dependable career. Entry to an apprenticeship qualification varies depending on the company you will be working for. These are not set in stone and occasionally you won’t need any. However the majority of companies will require a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above. Ideally these will include English, maths and science.
The qualification obtained as an apprentice will vary according to the type of apprenticeship you have chosen. The majority of apprenticeships will usually lead to a level 3 NVQ and can lead on to level 4 depending on the type of engineering you are doing. While you are an apprentice you will get paid for the hours that you work, this will not be as much as a regular full time job but once you have completed your training you can expect to earn a significant amount more.
Apprenticeships give you the chance to show your ability to employers and for them to get to know you while you are training, this has the advantage that they may offer you a permanent, full time position once you have completed your qualification.
You will become skilled at your job while under supervision and have the opportunity to develop practical skills by working with experienced engineers who can show you how they do their job. While working you will be studying towards a qualification that employers recognise and reassures them of your ability to do the job.
In addition to learning the skills relevant to your job, an apprenticeship will also allow you to build up new skills that can demonstrate further potential.
Engineering is a thriving sector of UK industry; it offers a large range of employment and this is one area where there is no shortage of jobs. If engineering is of interest to you and you want to work but don’t have the necessary qualifications, then taking an engineering apprenticeship is the ideal route for you to follow.
