Introduction

I’m Zach, a multi-channel marketing apprentice at Skills and Education Group.

I have recently joined The Apprentice Ambassador Network. From my perspective, the university route is heavily promoted, while apprenticeships often do not receive enough attention. Students need to be informed about their options so they don’t feel pressured to attend a prestigious university; apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative. I believe more people should consider apprenticeships, and as an ambassador, I aim to help make that possible. I also read an article recently about how Apprentices are among the most likely to own a home in their early 20s, and this got me thinking about sharing the benefits of being an apprentice.

So I decided to sit down and chat with Amber, a business apprentice at Skills and Education Group, about this and her role as an apprentice.

What made you decide to do an apprenticeship?

When I finished my GCSEs, I felt pressured to continue with my education, even though I wasn’t mentally ready for Level 3. I tried both A-levels and a vocational course, but neither felt like the right fit. Without having a goal, I ended up choosing subjects based on my interests rather than focusing on where I wanted to progress.

After leaving education, I started working with my family, and I found it much more fulfilling than college. Being relied upon and feeling needed suited my personality far more than relying on myself. I also realised that if I wanted to progress in Education later, I could explore online courses.

What are the best parts of your apprenticeship?

• Networking
• Money (financial freedom)
• Learning

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?

The biggest challenge I have faced is my own motivation and mental health, as I wasn’t in a great place. However, coming to work, being productive, and collaborating with an amazing team has really helped with my mental health as I feel valuable to the team.

How do you balance work and study?

I struggle to balance work and study, as I prefer to put all of my energy into one thing, however balancing out my workload over my study day and my weekend has helped.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

I would strongly recommend they pursue the apprenticeship, as it offers a faster route to personal and professional growth compared to full time education. I’d also encourage them to invest in their future, and save as much as possible as they have a head start against other’s their age. Additionally, I’d advise them to ask plenty of questions, actively network, and continuously build their knowledge and relationships. These efforts will open up valuable opportunities in the future.

There has been a recent article highlighting that Apprentices are among the most likely to own a home in their early 20s,  How do you feel about this?

I completely agree with this perspective. Apprenticeships provide a significant advantage, allowing people to enter the workplace at a younger age. This not only gives them an early start on earning an income but also teaches them valuable money management skills early on. Apprentices can begin saving sooner and gain practical workplace experience for opportunities in the near future, which often puts them ahead of students who may have theoretical knowledge but lack hands-on skills until their early 20s.

It’s a wrap

Chatting with Amber was a positive experience, and it reinforced my views on the many advantages of choosing an apprenticeship over traditional university education. Her insights highlight the benefits of skill development, financial freedom, and valuable networking opportunities. By choosing an apprenticeship, you can gain practical skills, financial stability, and valuable industry connections, setting you up for a successful and fulfilling career alongside the prospect of earlier home ownership. To me, it’s a win-win situation and one that needs to be celebrated more widely.