There are a number of options open to you when you leave school. For some, higher education and university is the right path but for others it’s getting a job as soon as possible.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we meet three people who decided to do an apprenticeship.
Watch apprentice zookeeper Charlotte, apprentice firefighter Sam, and model shop apprentice Chloe, as they explain why they chose this route and how it’s working out for them.
Click here to see Charlotte, Sam and Chloe helping three comedians to be an apprentice for the day.
Charlotte:
My name's Charlotte.
Sam:
My name is Sam O'Malley.
Chloe:
My name is Chloe
Charlotte:
And I am the apprentice rhino keeper here at Chester Zoo.
Chloe:
I'm a model shop apprentice.
Sam:
And I am an apprentice at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Charlotte:
So an apprenticeship in general is basically an option that can be used instead of going into higher education or college where you do on the job learning and gain a qualification at the same time.
Chloe:
I think the best bit is earning while I'm learning, as vague as that sounds, it's not just a case of coming to work, doing a job, going home. I'm learning and gaining a qualification the whole time.
Sam:
You can go into an apprenticeship with no prior skills, which is how I got to this apprenticeship in the first place.
Charlotte:
So this apprenticeship in particular is a lot of manual labour, so you have to be prepared for that. And also working in all weathers is a must because you're guaranteed to get wet!
Sam:
As an apprentice, I do a lot of following, listening and learning especially whilst on a job. Sothere needs to be a lot of proactiveness there.
Chloe:
I just think it is a great experience really. I'm learning a range of different skills, meeting a range of different people. So even though I'm based in the model shop department, I'm getting the chance to work in a range of different departments around the country, gaining much more experience so that I could then use in a job in later life or even in the role I'm in now.
Charlotte:
I would recommend someone else doing an apprenticeship because it is absolutely incredible.
Chloe:
I think it's definitely the industry experience that puts it above going somewhere like uni, college or a different sort of course.
Sam:
It's a great way for you to get into the career path that you want to choose.
Charlotte:
The experiences you get to be part of are absolutely out of this world. Like you wouldn’t get to do them in a classroom.
Chloe:
Even after two years, I still can’t believe I'm here.
Sam:
So if you're committed, dedicated and passionate about that career, then 100% go for the apprenticeship.
Charlotte:
It's incredible.
Charlotte: apprentice zookeeper
Meet Charlotte and find out about what an apprentice role at Chester Zoo involves.
Chloe: model shop apprentice
Chloe works as a Formula 1 model shop apprentice.
Sam: firefighter apprentice
Sam works as an apprentice firefighter at Warwickshire fire and rescue service.
