Apprenticeships explained

Apprenticeships are a great choice if you’re starting the first steps on your career path or looking to progress in your career. If you’ve reached this blog, then you probably agree but maybe need a bit more detail about how it all works and how to get started on your apprenticeship journey. We hope to answer your questions in this blog, so continue reading to find out more.

How it works 

When it comes to apprenticeships, there are two different pathways; whether you work with us or another training provider, the first pathway is choosing an apprenticeship. Think about the career path you are starting on and choose the course you would like to start, your training provider can then help you to find an employer who is looking for an apprentice on your course or in your chosen field. The second pathway is taken if you are already in employment and wish to stay with your employer; in this case, your training provider will discuss options with you and your employer, advise your employer on the steps to take to be able to support you in your apprenticeship and help choose the right course for you to help in your career progression in your chosen field.

Whichever route you choose, your training provider can help you on your journey. The point of an apprenticeship is to be able to put your learning into practice in the workplace straight away and earn while you learn. During your apprenticeship, there will be an emphasis on collaboration; between yourself, your employer and your training provider. As a training provider, Paragon Skills work with your employer to give you the best support and opportunities to complete your learning, whilst putting it into practice in real life.

Finding the right fit 

With a wide range of apprenticeship programmes now available for you to choose from, it can be a slightly daunting task to find an apprenticeship to suit your needs, is right for you, puts you on the right path to your career, and of course a programme you will enjoy.

If you are looking to begin your career with an apprenticeship, you might want to take a look at our vacancies page to see how we can help match your strengths and interests with a job we are currently recruiting for.

Apprenticeship chosen 

once you have applied for your chosen programme, been selected, and are in the job with the apprenticeship programme of your choice you will need to make it official. This is when your dedicated Personal Tutor will introduce themselves and arrange a time to meet with you either in person or via a phone/ video call. Your Tutor will collect all the information they need to get you started on your apprenticeship journey, as well as answer any questions you might have about what to expect. Your Tutor will ensure that your apprenticeship journey is exactly what you and your employer want.

Off-the-job training 

Off-the-job training is the learning and development that you will take part in away from your usual workplace, but within your normal working hours. The idea behind this is to add additional value and learning to an apprenticeship above the vocational skills that are directly applicable to your role. These include shadowing, mentoring, revision, training day release, industry visits, roleplay, theory, online learning, and participating in competitions.

What’s next?

you will get the opportunity to prove your capability to do the job at the End Point Assessment (EPA). What this will look like is dependent on you and the course you have completed. Don’t panic – it is not an ‘exam’ in the traditional sense and your Tutor will equip you with everything you need in order to pass. Once you have passed and received your certificates, you will be ready to share your skills and knowledge with the world and enhance your career.

Make the first step to your dream career 

If you’ve gotten this far into reading, you are ready to start the first step on the path to your dream career. if you need any more guidance or advice to find the right apprenticeship programme for you, each of our sector pages have all the information you need to help make an informed decision.

If you are already in a job and want to get started straight away you can contact us via phone on 08007832545, email at enquiries@pgon.co.uk or via our websites live chat today and someone will be in touch to discuss the finer details.