Why do an apprenticeship?
Start your career straight from school
One of the things apprentices say they like most if wasting no time in getting their career up and running as soon as they leave school. Whilst some school leavers choose college or university, apprentices feel rewarded by getting a head-start in an industry they have an interest in. You can apply for an apprenticeship while you are still at school, but just need to be over the age of 16 when you start.
Earn while you learn
This is possibly the best bit. Even though you are spending 20% of your time on an apprenticeship studying, you are being paid a reasonable wage. Apprentices have to be paid the National Minimum Wage if you are aged 16-23, and the National Living Wage if you are over 23. You get rights to paid holiday, sick leave and other benefits, and some apprentices can command salaries of £20,000 or more. Your wage will depend on your level of apprenticeship, the location and the industry you are working in.
No upper age limit
Anyone aged 16 and over, living in England, Scotland and Wales who is not currently in full-time education could be eligible for an apprenticeship. A majority of the UK workforce believe they are too old to start an apprenticeship, so it is important to understand that these opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of their age.
Get practical training in a job
From day 1, you will be getting hands-on experience in your chosen job, and being trained in how to do it at the same time. One of the best ways to learn is by applying what you are being taught immediately in the real world, and that is what you are doing in an apprenticeship. Apprentices enjoy using what they learn in the workplace, and making a difference for their employers. It gives apprentices a real sense of pride and achievement.
Study without getting into debt
Choosing whether to go to university or start an apprenticeship is often a key dilemma for young people, especially if they are about to take their A-Levels. There are merits to both, and each route is held in high regard by employers. Perhaps the biggest difference between university and an apprenticeship is the fact that students have to pay tuition fees of up to £9,250 per year, which for a three-year degree course will lead to debts of nearly £30,000 by the time of graduation.
As mentioned, apprenticeships are a paid position with no fees. Some apprenticeships will include more time at a training provider, college or university, but you still won’t have to pay any fees to benefit from this.
Learn important life skills
As well as the workplace skills, an apprenticeship develops some key life skills. It will improve your time-keeping, as you know you’ll have to be starting work at the same time every morning. Your decision-making will also be better, and your ability to meet deadlines. Apprentices find that their confidence is boosted and they learn the importance of a good night’s sleep, too!
What about university?
For some careers a university degree is essential. So if you want to be a teacher, a doctor or a lawyer, you will need to go to university. While studying a traditional degree at university, you could do a number of jobs alongside to try and earn an income, but you will struggle to gain the same amount of work experience that you gain on an apprenticeship. Therefore, university is best suited for those who prefer classroom learning.
You will have more free time at university around your studies, which is often regarded as one of the great perks of being a full-time student. University also provides the opportunity to experience life in a different area of the country, and to perhaps live away from home for the first time.
University has a reputation for being ‘the best years of your life’ because of the social life you are able to enjoy – but it isn’t for everybody, and as we have already mentioned you could leave with big debts.
Don’t graduates get all the best jobs?
Not anymore. Record numbers of people are going to university. In 2023, 35% of the entire UK population aged 18 started a full-time undergraduate course. In 1990 this figure was 25%, and in 1980 only 15% stayed in any type of full-time education. This shows that there is a huge amount of competition for anyone with a degree applying for jobs. Having a degree used to make a candidate stand out from the crowd, but increasingly it has become a minimum criteria for some employers.
Can apprentices earn more than graduates?
Apprentices have considerable earning potential. Research has shown that apprentices can earn up to 270% more over their lifetime than university graduates. Apprentices may start out by earning the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, and the average starting salary for graduates is £24,000-£30,000, but salaries for skilled apprentices increase substantially the more qualified they become.
Degree apprenticeships – the best of both worlds
Degree apprenticeships are an alternative to traditional degrees. They allow apprentices to combine full-time work with studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at university or college. They are designed to fill skills gaps in the workforce, but are increasingly available in wider job roles. Degree apprenticeships are most commonly made available to people already working for employers or by applying to a specific employer.
This means that you are effectively being paid to work and study at university. There are degree apprenticeship opportunities available within a wide variety of roles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Why you should do a construction apprenticeship
Get a head start on your career
Even after finishing university, some graduates don’t know what they want to do as a job. For apprentices it is a different story. Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship you’ll have the skills and experience to move ahead with your career, either with the employer you did your apprenticeship with, or a different employer. You’ll have many opportunities because of the things you’ve learnt during your apprenticeship.
Network with professionals across the industry
Apprenticeships are great for developing relationships with colleagues within your own organisation and in the wider construction industry. By getting to know more people in construction you’ll pick up more skills and knowledge, and it may help you progress your career. These are called your professional networks.
Travel the world
Your apprenticeship could open up opportunities to work around the globe. It may start at home, but once you are qualified in your trade, you could find yourself working anywhere in the world. Construction happens everywhere, so transferable skills are highly sought after. You could be helping to build a skyscraper in Dubai, a sustainable office in Europe or a mountain road tunnel in the Alps.
Compete in national and international events
As a construction apprentice, you’ll have the chance to enter competitions like SkillBuild, the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK. There are regional finals and a National Final, where you’ll be able to compete against other apprentices in your chosen trade, for the right to represent the UK at the WorldSkills competition each year. Bricklaying, plastering and roof slating are amongst the trades included in SkillBuild.
Inspire others
If you love construction and want to tell everyone just how great it is, you can become a Go Construct STEM Ambassador. You would be talking to young people about working in the construction industry, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.
Leave a legacy
As a construction worker you have the ability to build something that could last a long time – a skyscraper, if you like to think big, or a project in your community, if you want to make a difference locally. You might want to have an impact on sustainability in construction. Not many other jobs can offer you the same.
Still not sure? Here’s some key facts about apprenticeships
- There are approximately 25,000 apprenticeships available in England at any one time
- 82% of apprentices felt that their ability to do their job had improved
- 79% of apprentices said that their career prospects had got better
- University students get into debt; apprentices get paid a salary
- Apprenticeships are available in 170 industries
Finding an apprenticeship
There are lots of ways to search for apprenticeships. You could look on websites like the government’s apprenticeship service. You will be able to apply for apprenticeships by uploading your CV or applying directly to the employer.
Begin an apprenticeship in construction
Construction apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get into the industry, at any age. We have all the information here for you to make a start, including guides to over 170 different job roles. These will help you find the type of roles that suit who you are, the skills you have and the skills you want to acquire.