The Pros and Cons of Apprenticeships To Guide Your Career

Imagine earning while you learn and gaining hands-on experience in your chosen field, sounds ideal, right? Apprenticeships can be a great career path to go down after finishing school/college. However, there are many advantages and disadvantages to an apprenticeship that you need to consider before deciding if it’s the right choice for you. In this blog, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of apprenticeships so you can make that important decision.

The Pros of Apprenticeships

Choosing an apprenticeship can open the door to numerous benefits that traditional educational paths might not offer. Let's examine the key advantages that make apprenticeships an attractive option for many students and young professionals.

1. Hands-On Experience

There are many pros and cons of apprenticeship, but one advantage is the hands-on experience you gain. Compared to the traditional University route, apprenticeships allow you to get stuck in and learn about your desired industry practically. Not to mention, it will also help improve essential skills like communication and teamwork.

2. Earn While You Learn

Apprenticeships offer the unique benefit of earning a wage while you learn. This is a huge advantage, as you will not be in debt after completing your qualification. As an apprentice, you receive a salary from your employer, which increases as you progress through the apprenticeship.

3. Industry-Recognised Qualifications

After completing your apprenticeship, you receive a recognised qualification within your industry. Having this qualification can enhance your employability and can open up further career opportunities.

4. Networking and Mentorship

As an apprentice, you work closely with experienced professionals who can provide mentorship and guidance. This not only helps you learn the technical aspects of the job but also offers insights into the industry, workplace dynamics, and career development. The relationships you build during your apprenticeship can be invaluable for your future career, providing opportunities for networking and professional growth. This is something you should consider when weighing up the pros and cons of apprenticeships.

The Cons of Apprenticeships

While apprenticeships offer many appealing benefits, they also come with certain drawbacks that are important to consider. In this section, we'll examine the key disadvantages to help you weigh your options and make an informed decision.

1. Salary

Even though you are getting paid as a full-time employee, some apprentices can get paid a lower salary compared to graduates. This can be seen as a disadvantage of apprenticeships, but keep in mind that every year, the minimum wage increases, and there’s a chance that your company will review your pay as your apprenticeship progresses.

2. Balancing work and study

As an apprentice, you work full-time with your employer. At the same time, studying for your apprenticeship qualification at the same time (20% dedicated to studying and 80% for your full-time job). It can be intense, but with a solid plan and time management skills, you can make it work without experiencing burnout.

3. Missing out on the ‘University Experience’

You might attend university part-time to study for your apprenticeship, but you won’t fully embrace the ‘University Experience’. Choosing an apprenticeship means that you jump straight into the working world and may not have the opportunity to live a carefree life as a full-time student.

4. Less Holidays

Compared to universities, apprenticeships have fewer holidays available. Depending on the employer and company you join, you will be given a set amount of annual leave days to take every year.

Making the Decision

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of apprenticeships before making your final decision. Hear from some Not Going To Uni Ambassadors about why they pursued an apprenticeship while outlining some of the advantages and disadvantages of apprenticeships:

Jasneet Grover, Degree Apprentice in the Financial Industry

‘’After looking into the pros and cons of apprenticeships, I chose an apprenticeship in the financial industry because it offers a unique blend of academic learning and practical experience. By the end of the four-year program, I will have earned a bachelor's degree, gained high-level qualifications, and accumulated invaluable experience at some of the world's largest financial firms.

Pursuing this path provides significant leverage in starting my career, as it allows me to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, giving me a competitive edge. However, balancing the demands of coursework, professional responsibilities, and personal life is challenging. Mastering time management and prioritisation are essential to succeed in this demanding field.’’

Rhea Joshipura, Part-time retail worker, incoming Degree Apprentice at JLR

‘’After some sessions about the traditional university route, I realised it wasn't for me. At 18, I researched the apprenticeship pros and cons and preferred the apprenticeship route, which aligned with my passion for self-development. Participating in initiatives like 'Young Enterprise' highlighted my enjoyment of working, pitching ideas, and applying A-level economics to real-life situations. Apprenticeships offered a blend of academic growth and interpersonal skill development, allowing me to use my degree theory and personal interests, such as languages and geopolitics. While some view the full-time job aspect as a hurdle to the university lifestyle, I find that with efficient time management, I have so much time for family, friends, networking, maintaining consistent sport and diet progress, and even time for myself (ambivert speaking, here)!’’

Mansour Celab, Surveying Degree Apprentice

‘’The reason I decided to do an apprenticeship is to get that hands-on experience whilst also still doing the theoretical side through university. Experience is extremely important in my field, so when I complete my course, I’ll have 5 years of experience, a degree, and a professional qualification (RICS qualified). Before making my decision, I knew I wanted to do real estate due to the client-facing and social side of it. My advice would be to do as much work experience as possible, understand what you’re going into, and commit! One con of apprenticeships for me is the social side of it. At the moment, I am the only apprentice in my office, so it can get a bit lonely sailing a solo ship. However, this varies case by case. Lots of companies have other apprentices already, so this might not be the case. Even more so, the social side of it may not be a priority for you. In general, though, it can be harder to juggle work, uni studies, and social life. After weighing the pros and cons of apprenticeships, it was clear what route I wanted to go down.’’

Going down the apprenticeship route could be the perfect way to start your career. You have the opportunity to earn while you learn, get hands-on experience, and receive industry-recognised qualifications. However, before committing, you need to look into the advantages and disadvantages of an apprenticeship. By carefully considering the pros and cons of apprenticeships in relation to your personal goals, learning style, and financial situation, you can make an informed decision about whether this pathway is right for you.