With the exam results delivered in Scotland, for many youngsters it’s time to choose which direction to take from here.
While some will be heading off to further education, others may be looking instead for apprenticeship positions.
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Once upon a time, these were viewed by some as somehow inferior to full-time studies at college or university. Now, however, they are attracting more young people, who realise learning part-time at college while earning at work can bring double the rewards. They’re also a mighty springboard to fast-track promotion and lucrative, long-term careers.
Long gone, too, are the days when the new apprentice was treated only as chief coffeemaker and spent their days being sent to the manager for a long stand or the shops for a tin of elbow grease.
Today more and more businesses are fully supporting the concept of apprenticeships. This is because they appreciate that having young and enthusiastic employees learning soft skills and tech talents can be a huge boost to the company.
You can see this reflected on s1jobs where more and more apprenticeship vacancies are becoming available.
One of the latest to come up for grabs is bound to be popular: a brewing apprenticeship that offers training in the magical art of beer production.
The Modern Apprenticeship in brewing was commissioned by Skills Development Scotland and has been developed by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, industry body Scotland Food & Drink and a range of brewers.
With the country’s brewing industry sustaining more than 8500 employees, this new programme offers students the chance to learn their trade on the job, while simultaneously working towards a recognised SCQF level 5 SVQ qualification. Slainte!
Of course, one of the most popular sectors for apprenticeships has always been construction and, earlier this year, a fast-track modern apprenticeship programme to attract people of all ages into the housebuilding sector was announced.
Housebuilder Stewart Milne Group is leading its development with the long-term aim of helping to meet the growing skills gap in the industry.
With this in mind, they have been working with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) on the first Modern Apprenticeship (MA) pathway in Construction Site Supervision – Residential Development. This offers apprentices the chance to train as construction site supervisors with a view to one day becoming site managers.
Engineering apprenticeships are also among the most sought-after in Scotland, with many youngsters choosing to specialise in mechanical, civil, electrical, civil and telecommunications.
Not only do apprentices get high-quality training, they’re also well paid.
Looking forward, the digital sector needs new apprentices to embrace the ever-evolving computer science and IT world…and become the new experts in software development and cyber security.
In fact, according to Skills Development Scotland, 89% of employers would encourage taking up apprenticeships, while 88% believe apprentices are important to business and workforce development. Last but certainly not least, 96% believe apprentices are better equipped and more able to do their jobs.
Another major attraction of taking up an apprenticeship is you can move straight from school, or another training path, to discover new and exciting roles.
Consider the new career course being plotted by 22-year-old Edel McCarthy, who has navigated her way from a hairdressing course to become Scotland’s first ever boat building apprentice at the Scottish Maritime Museum’s Boat Building School.
The school has helped to develop the new Modern Apprenticeship in order to tackle a growing skills shortage in the marine workforce due to retirement and a lack of incoming qualified staff.
“It’s wonderful to be the first apprentice in Boat Building and Repair,” Edel said.
“A few years ago, I was studying to become a hairdresser and now I’m on my way to becoming a fully qualified boat builder. I wanted to move to a more physical job, so this appealed but, with only a little woodwork experience from school, it was totally out of my comfort zone.
“I’m so glad I made the jump. I really love boat building and repair and look forward to my future working in this field.
“It’s amazing to think my life has changed so much just because a job advert caught my eye.”
The good news is there are plenty of other adverts waiting to catch your eye on s1jobs. And no matter which apprenticeship you choose, you can enjoy a great work-life balance, with your time divided between the workplace and college or university – and thanks to the introduction of 5,000 Foundation Apprenticeships, for some between workplace and school.
As well as learning from your lecturers and trainers, you also get to work alongside experienced professionals who will be your daily guides and mentors – even if they do occasionally send you looking for a tin of tartan paint.
If you’d like to explore the opportunities an apprenticeship could offer, take a look at the current vacancies on s1jobs.