How To Get Into A Trade Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship teaches a new generation of practitioners a trade or profession via on-the-job training and, in some instances, further education (classroom work and reading). An apprenticeship is another way for a tradesperson to get a licence to practise in a regulated profession.

What is the company’s policy on recruiting apprentices?

As employers throughout the country work, they are split into two camps: “sure, I could use that extra pair of hands,” and “to hell with that; that will tie me for years.”

So, from the employer’s point of view, you need to wow them to persuade them that it is beneficial to forego that afternoon they go golfing or that day they start late.

What are the thoughts of people looking for an Apprenticeship?

For some reason, most people are looking for apprenticeships, but most parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors think learning a trade is not an easy decision or an option.

What sort of job should I look for?

You should look for a smaller company with as few as one Tradesman/Woman or as many as four or five. You may be confident that you will learn from one or more tradesmen in this way.

Either approach is acceptable since learning how each tradesperson does a specific job is essential. You may often be thrown into the deep end, but this is ultimately the greatest way to learn your profession. 

What are the requirements for becoming an Apprentice and obtaining a Trade Profession?

The most important factor is that YOU, not your parents, want to do it.

You will not like it and will most likely not finish your apprenticeship if your heart is not in it. Why waste your time and your employer’s time? You must have a strong passion and commitment to learning your profession since it is what you want to do for the rest of your life.

How can I convince a business to take me on as an apprentice?

Choose one or two companies and meet with them face to face in the morning. Arrive ahead of time and wait for the boss. Explain who you are and what you do, and express your genuine desire to work as a Joiner or a Plumber, for example. “Sorry, we don’t have anything right now,” I’m sure they’ll say.

Never, ever give up

So, what comes next? You go there every Monday and Friday morning, for example, to show the employer how much you desire your job.

Still getting the “sorry, still nothing?” message?

You must pass the CITB entrance test and get your CSCS card. Then, return to them and demonstrate what you’ve accomplished.

“Sorry, nothing,” are you still saying? Continue demonstrating to them that you will not accept no for an answer.

The business will eventually look at you and realise you are worth employing since you have shown your commitment. But, it does not end there, go to work first thing in the morning, and all day, every day, ask questions and learn as much as possible.

Updated on August 29, 2022

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