On the Job Learning - 6 Benefits of doing an Apprenticeship

We’re often asked, ‘What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?’ especially when weighing the options between on the job learning and studying at university to optimise career progression. We’re passionate about professional training, so it’s an easy one for us to answer! Rather than simply offering our own insights, we've decided to glean perspectives and experiences from our apprentices themselves.

1. Earn While You Learn

Marketing Assistant, Issy O’Brien says this as a pivotal reason behind her choice to pursue an apprenticeship. Unlike peers studying away from home, Issy doesn't fret about potential financial burdens once the course is completed. Since committing to her apprenticeship, she's enjoyed abundant on the job learning opportunities as well as off the job knowledge training. Maximising her off the job study time, she's expanded her expertise in marketing, a subject close to her heart, and now has a clear career progression path planned with her employer.

2. Grow your Confidence

Melissa Clayton is a Business Administrator apprentice working with SY Money. She credits her course and job role with bolstering her confidence while acquiring new workplace skills. As well as honing her IT skills, she has infused creativity in her role, proposing new ways to improve processes. She is certainly proving to be a successful learner; approaching her End Point Assessment ahead of schedule!

3. Professional Support from Tutors

Carly Bonds shares her Events Apprenticeship experience at Mackenzie Stuart, emphasising the invaluable support from her tutor well-versed in the events industry.

“Being a very small team in Events at Mackenzie Stuart, it is nice to have the support from my tutor who knows about the events industry. I can learn from her and bounce off ideas,”

Our tutors, with prior professional experience (some still active in industry roles), bring expertise to the table. Learners don't merely absorb business theory; they also delve into practical professional training alongside industry insights to gain highly sought after workplace skills.

At Swarm Training, our small-group teaching ensures a more personalised approach. This means the tutor really gets to know the apprentice well. Monica Masiello BA L3 appreciates this 121 relationship:

“Having a one-on-one relationship with the tutor who is available to you to answer questions is a real benefit of the apprenticeship”

4. Enhance Your Employability

Carly highlights the chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification in the field of events as this was an area she was interested in:

“As I haven’t currently got any qualifications in Events, it’s great to have the opportunity to do well on this apprenticeship and have this qualification on my CV.”

There is such a variety of business courses on offer, that it’s worth exploring the apprenticeship route so that you can focus on career progression in an area you want to work in. A combination of on the job learning through workplace skills experience coupled with the relevant theoretical knowledge significantly boosts employability and your prospects for promotion.

5. Unearth Your Skills

Monica Masiello, at Cameron Kennedy Ltd, says “completing an apprenticeship encourages you to get involved in things that you may not have had the confidence to ask to be a part of otherwise.”

Although her role is primarily administration to support the recruitment organisation, she has facilitated the improvement of the company website, as part of her final project. Already she has helped to increase sign-ups from the website by 12%, unaware of her talent in this realm before starting her apprenticeship! This has given her a new career progression pathway to consider.

6. Enjoy Variety 

Compared to the continuous studying of a university education, an apprenticeship injects variety into your day-to-day life. Mixing up theory learning with practical application to develop workplace skills is one of the benefits Isie has cited. Isie, presently a marketing apprentice at Zurich, has previously studied for a degree and has worked full-time in the travel industry. She can compare these different pathways and attests that variety is the spice of life!

What would an apprenticeship look like for you and your organisation?

• Government funded

• 12-14 months programme

• 6 hours off the job study time each week
  - your working hours are reduced to accommodate this

• Monthly workshops with our professional tutors to learn relevant knowledge and skills to apply in your role

• On the job learning programme with your employer

• Monthly personal development sessions for additional personal support

• 3 monthly reviews with your manager

• Gathering evidence throughout the year of your knowledge and abilities ready for assessment

If you are currently employed and would like to do an apprenticeship with your organisation to enhance your learning or to help you become eligible for promotion…

• Take a look at the apprenticeships we offer on our website to choose the course for you and discuss it with your Learning & Development Manager or HR.

• If you and your manager feel this would work for you, message us or call us to arrange a meeting with you both for support on next steps.