Whether you’re trying to get a job straight out of college or are having trouble finding employment, the option of an apprenticeship can be quite enticing. It’s a fairly simple process that almost guarantees that you’ll be able to get a job–but with some caveats.

For instance, most apprentices need to be somewhat qualified before they’re hired, and they also receive less pay (in many cases) when compared to normal workers. As a result, there can seem like a lot of downsides that lead to people overlooking the idea of becoming an apprentice.

But there are so many unique benefits to becoming an apprentice that we often fail to look past some of the downsides. So in this post, we’ll be discussing whether it’s worth it or not to become an apprentice, and what you can do to get the most out of this experience!

Becoming an apprentice can help you get connected

One of the biggest benefits to becoming an apprentice is that you can get connected with people in the industry. When you’re working at a job, you tend to meet people who are both more experienced and more knowledgeable than you. This results in a lot of potential opportunities to learn more and grow your network of contacts. Getting acquainted with these people can lead to future job opportunities, and it encompasses the idea of “it’s not what you know, but who you know” culture that lands people a lot of lucrative jobs.

But of course, if you’re not the type of person that utilises their connections to get a job, you can still benefit from this.

Networking is essentially just making friends in business. People that you work with will become more accustomed to you, they’ll enjoy your company, and they’ll learn to appreciate your work. This just creates a much more friendly environment to work in, and it can lead to future job offers or other opportunities in the industry because you’ll have references to provide.

So if the apprenticeship doesn’t lead to a full job, then you’ll at least have a lot of experience and contacts to use when getting a new job in the future.

People like working with younger apprentices

Apprentices are kind of like blank slates when it comes to the business world. They don’t know much about how business works, but they’re eager to learn and will soak up knowledge and experience like a sponge. This results in a smart and positive employee who’s always willing to learn more and adjust their role to suit the company.

In other words, young apprentices are highly attractive prospects, especially for larger companies that have the resources to help train you. So if you’re looking to grow your career from scratch and are willing to give it your all, then becoming an apprentice can be a great stepping stone.

Of course, it’s best to seek apprentice and trainee support if you’re not sure where to start, or if you’re unsure if starting as a young apprentice is for you. Always make sure you have people supporting you and helping you make good decisions so that there’s less chance that a large company will take advantage of you.

Learning on the job can be a great alternative

A lot of people find it difficult to learn in a classroom environment, especially if you’re learning practical skills. There’s only so much that a lecture can teach you in something like plumbing or electrician work, so getting on-the-job experience can be incredibly valuable. You’ll likely be paired with someone that can show you the ropes, and you’ll be given lots of opportunities to prove that you’ve been listening, watching, and learning from them.

If you’re the type of person that values learning on-the-job and can keep up with a fast-paced environment, then an apprenticeship can open up lots of unique opportunities. Whether you’re looking to get a job as a teenager or just want to change your career, apprenticeships can be fantastic ways to get your foot in the door of an industry.

Downsides of appreniceships...

Just remember that you can often be taken advantage of as an apprenticeship. Lots of shady or poorly-managed companies will use apprenticeship programs as cheap labour, so it’s vital that you learn to avoid these as best you can. Seek reviews on websites such as Glassdoor to learn more about a company’s policies and how they treat apprentices, then use your own judgment to determine if it’s worth enquiring about a position or signing up.