Apprenticeships give aspiring professionals the real world experience they need to get the edge. Getting ahead of the crowd as an apprentice means taking advantage of every opportunity to increase skills and knowledge of a career in the trades. The benefits of an apprenticeship may include:
- Intimate knowledge of the work environment & hands-on job training
- Access to career mentors, knowledge and career path advantage
- Increased confidence
Job Training. For students, job training in the form of an apprenticeship has the increased benefit of being gained in an actual work environment. Entry-level positions may require recommendations from people you have actually worked with, not just teachers and mentors. Apprenticeships give young professionals the opportunity to showcase and develop their skills in a more challenging environment.
Career Knowledge. Apprenticeship experiences can affect the future career decisions of a participant in job training. The apprentice may find that he or she is not actually suited for the position. By giving a young professional an opportunity to use his or her applied skills also reveals strengths and weaknesses. Apprentices can use observations of their own performance, as well as performance provided by their supervisors, to grow as professionals or make a career change to an area they are more interested in. Supervisors can become valuable mentors. Being farther along in their professional development, they can give valuable advice about education, training opportunities and skill development.
Increased Confidence. Young professionals may encounter the stumbling block of confidence. A confidence barrier can come in the form of uncertainty about job expectations, unrealistic expectations due to inexperience or an unrealistic picture of the career path. Young professionals who participate in apprentice programs may see confidence levels rise feeling like they are more a part of the profession. Interacting with professionals in your trade can help you get a better understanding of what the job is actually like and how you fit.
Students or young professionals may find that they have a great advantage in the job market because of an apprenticeship experience. Not only does it benefit the job seeker on their resume and in the form of recommendations, it helps on the job as well. Apprentices will likely find themselves more confident than their peers with relating to their superiors and using leadership skills.