I’ve always been a practical person, so I knew that an apprenticeship was for me. It’s so much easier for me to learn on the job rather than from a textbook. I had done engineering in college, and I knew that I wanted to pursue that further, so my mum, dad and nan told me I should go for an apprenticeship: one where I could gain practical work experience, and one where I could work with a company close to home and to my family. I was definitely nervous, and I knew that most of the work was going to be new to me. But when I realised I would be learning on the job I couldn’t wait to start.
I was very lucky to have had the chance to find an apprenticeship at The Waterman Group that fit my goals for the future: my family knew about apprenticeships, and I had people who could advise me on choosing the right one. Lots of people that I know didn’t have that opportunity or knowledge. When I was in college, university was presented as the only option, but an apprenticeship combines practical training and theoretical study. They prepare you for working in the industry of your choosing, and you can still get a university education. As an apprentice, I get both a salary and all the benefits of a full-time employee; I’ll also graduate with a degree and a job to look forward to through my programme.
Not all apprenticeships last for six years and some don’t include a degree, but I actually chose mine for how personal the development scheme is. From the first day, my team felt like family. I started working on a real project, and though I was nervous at the beginning, I’ve gained a practical understanding of risk assessment, coordinating and amending plans, and working with software such as Revit, a 3D-modelling program – essential skills for my line of work. As I develop a stronger technical and theoretical understanding of structural engineering, I’m excited about what my future holds: through my programme, I’ll soon be working on more on-site projects, where I’ll be able to put what I’ve learned in the office to use in the field.
I would definitely say that my interpersonal skills have improved in the time since I started as well, along with my time management skills, so that I can juggle my training, my revision, my family time and free time. I’ve also become more confident both in and outside of the office. I feel more prepared to engage and hold a meaningful conversation with people I’ve never met on a personal level, and I’ve had the opportunity to work on my public speaking and presentation skills as well.
This confidence also transfers to my work: I’m more inclined to take on challenges as they arise now, because if I don’t say yes to things at this stage of my career I’ll probably turn down other opportunities in the future. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the Australian government about the importance of apprenticeships, attend conferences and career fairs, and take advantage of the choices that I can make for my future. As an apprentice, I don’t feel any less valued or respected than my peers or more senior colleagues – I just feel the satisfaction of a job well done.
There is a sense of community among apprentices. At our company, we have a networking group for new and existing apprentices. We chat, we ask each other for help, and we learn about what projects other people are working on. This year, I planned an orientation for new apprentices with another colleague, which has been a highlight of my time here: we made education booklets to get them up to speed on basic principles such as risk assessments and identifying hazards, and we organised a site visit to show them where they’ll be working to make sure they feel like they are a part of the team and a part of the family.
It’s experiences like this that make an apprenticeship so much more than just learning on the job, which is why I’d encourage people to consider taking one up as an option. There’s no age restriction to get into one either: most are open to anyone from 16 onwards. Above all else, I hope people discover the full scope of what an apprenticeship can be.
Not too long ago, I was at a careers fair and asked: “Does anyone know what an apprenticeship is?” Most people asked me if it was like work experience, and that’s the problem – I think the main thing is that people are unaware, and they haven’t been exposed to the on-site opportunities, experiential learning, and knowledge that apprentices like me receive through our work. I’ve always been a practical person, and as an apprentice, I know that my education is practical as well. Researching and applying for an apprenticeship is something that I would definitely recommend.
As told to Nathan Ma
Fire it up
Engineering, food, fashion – if you can think of it, there’s probably an apprenticeship available. From large corporations to agile startups, everyone’s getting involved. Excited? Visit apprenticeships.gov.uk
