Now that the competition in any job market has become tighter than ever, it’s essential to set yourself apart by showing an unprecedented level of experience and know-how. If you’re a first-time job seeker, you might be worried about getting stuck in a catch-22. Getting a solid experience before even applying for a job can help you avoid such, especially in certain industries such as photography, catering & hospitality, as well as other creative specialities.
Getting an apprenticeship is a great means to learn solid industry know-how as well as to hone specific technical skills relevant to your career choice. It also serves as a testing ground to gauge if the career you chose to work in is, in fact, suited for your capabilities and interests. Unfortunately, because of perceived business costs and the constant strain of tasks at work, most employers and businesses won’t consider a traineeship program as part of their priorities and requirements.
If you are keen on acquiring solid work experience through an apprenticeship program, we listed down a number of ways so you can do just that.
Gain proof of transferable skills through volunteer work
Landing an apprenticeship is just like applying for a job. One of the qualifiers that most mentors will look at is your skills and relevant experiences. Joining volunteer organizations and doing community work that will put your skills to good use is a great way to gain solid experience that you can put on your resume.
Volunteer work can also serve as a way for you to show your future mentor what causes and advocacies you support, as well as what hobbies and skills you are passionate about. While a question about your hobbies and interests may seem innocent during job and apprenticeship interviews, it can play an important role when trying to land a job – or in this case, an apprenticeship. A study was able to take note of the positive differences in performance between employees who are engaged in creative hobbies and those who are not.
More importantly, getting involved in volunteer work show that you care for the community and that you tend to weigh in on important issues and matters. For business owners and mentors, this equates to a solid initiative vital in landing an apprenticeship.
Participate in youth apprenticeships
If you’re still in school, don’t miss any opportunity to participate in youth apprentice programs that your school or the government may offer. A youth apprenticeship is a great way for students to get familiar with the ins and outs of the industry, explore the trade, and have a sense of how things actually work.
Should you choose to pursue a degree course or further studies, having an apprenticeship during school will also allow you to earn hours toward your school while simultaneously earning hours towards your apprenticeship.
Enrol in a pre-apprenticeship training programs
In the event that you aren’t able to partake in a school-based apprenticeship and you’re having a hard time doing so on your own, a pre-apprenticeship training program can help you land an apprenticeship suited for your career choice. It helps potential apprenticeship entrants in developing job skills as well as gauging trade readiness in order to be prepared to find work as apprentices.
This is an even better opportunity because these programs are usually funded by the government, helping you gain valuable work experience at no cost.
Proactively seek out apprenticeship opportunities
Businesses usually look at apprenticeship programs as a liability since they are burdened with the responsibility to train new talents, which might be too tedious for small organizations. This is why not all businesses are amenable to sponsor an apprentice, making these opportunities scarce and hard to come by. If you think you want to undergo an apprenticeship program for a certain organization or industry but is not seeing any openings, it can be a good idea to reach out to them and proactively ask if they are interested in one.
When doing this, try to establish a connection first. Look at your network and try to get casually introduced to your target employer. You can then start showing how interested you are to build your career through an apprenticeship with them. Make sure to highlight the benefits of getting an apprentice, as well as emphasize your relevant experiences that will create this possible apprenticeship arrangement worthwhile.
Generally, businesses highly appreciate an enthusiastic candidate. You can, in fact, apply on your own, then get in touch with VET coordinators as well as Registered Training Organisations so they can directly coordinate with business owners. RTOs provide a big help for students and businesses alike in ensuring a seamless traineeship program that will properly equip you with the right skills which will enable you to hit the ground running when you get out in the real world.
The first few years of your career will have a significant effect on your professional life’s trajectory. So, it goes without saying that setting the foundation of your career is very important. There’s no other way to set it better than through an apprenticeship program.