5 questions to ask if you're thinking about an apprenticeship
5 questions to ask if you're thinking about an apprenticeship
Over the last academic year, a total of 349,190 people enrolled on an apprenticeship programme, and the numbers are rising each year. Not only that but there are now so many different apprenticeships on offer, from hospitality to retail management and HR to IT. This makes it even easier to find a programme that ticks all the boxes and opens the right doors.
More options can make it even harder to make a decision. We understand it's an important decision to make. You want to be sure that it's the right move for you, so we're going to help.
Here are five questions to ask yourself if you're thinking about an apprenticeship.
1. Is an apprenticeship right for me?
Before you even begin looking for apprenticeship schemes, you've got to ask yourself if an apprenticeship is right for you.
Say that you don’t pass your English or maths GCSE. Through an apprenticeship, you can continue to study for these key GCSE's. On the other hand, you might have finished your GCSEs and be turning your attention to an apprenticeship. Either way, an apprenticeship is a good option to continue your learning whilst picking up a paycheck. Plus, if you pick the right company, you have access to apprenticeships at every level, and could end up with the equivalent of a degree. That’s precisely what you’ll get at M&B.
On the other hand, you might have finished school a while back and jumped straight into work, but now you've got that niggle in the back of your mind telling you that you want to try something different. Whether that's extra skills, responsibility, opportunities or pay, you can get all that and more. You are truly never too old to do an apprenticeship.
2. Does it make sense financially?
If you're yet to dip your toes into the working world, there are a few paths available. Apprenticeships are just one. But one thing that attracts many people to an apprenticeship over, say, university is the lack of tuition fees. You won't finish up owing anything.
Now, let's say you have a stable job with a steady income, and learning comes at a cost, right? Wrong. The beauty of an apprenticeship is that you earn a competitive salary and build your skillset in the meantime.
Simply put, it pays to do an apprenticeship.
3. Will it suit my learning style?
We all learn in different ways, and around 15% of people learn by doing. These people, known as kinesthetic learners, suit apprenticeships pretty well because about 80% of your working hours will be spent doing the job. The remaining 20% is spent training or studying, helping you cement that knowledge.
That's not to say if you don't fit snugly in the kinesthetic learner box you won't suit an apprenticeship. Just start by asking yourself how you like to learn. And if you understand something better and faster when you practice it, you might be on to a winner here.
4. What skills do I want to finish up with?
Remember, it's not just about the certificate. Take our chef apprentices, for example. They don't just learn how to prepare and cook food. They get to observe chefs, learn the tricks of the trade from them and put it all into practice with the guidance of their supervisor. This all helps them become more confident chefs. Write a list of skills you want to develop and seek a programme that will offer you just that.
5. What job can I see myself doing next?
If you have an idea about the direction you want your career to head in, happy days. Just compare the experience you'll gain throughout the apprenticeship with the skills you want for your future job.
For many of us, getting asked what we want to do in five years is the dreaded question. We don't all know, and that's okay. You get a different level of support during an apprenticeship, and at M&B, for example, you get access to award-winning training, delivered by tutors with years of industry experience. Every stage is carefully designed to give you the skills and experience to start your career and will help you understand what roles are up for grabs once you finish.
Give yourself a head start in your career
At M&B, we've been running apprenticeship programmes since 2016, and around 4,000 people have completed a programme with us in this time. You'll have the chance to gain essential hospitality skills, whether that be in our kitchens or front of house. At one of our many famous brands, in a venue local to you. Does it get any better than that?
Plus, you'll get access to a long list of benefits, including a discount on gym memberships, deals and discounts from your favourite retailers, and a 33% discount on food and drink at any of our 1,600 businesses, such as Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One.
Our apprenticeship programmes are open year round. Head to our apprenticeship hub to find out more and get your application started.
Receive articles like this
See what we're all about
We're shaping a workplace where everyone thrives. Explore the heart and soul of Mitchells & Butlers by checking out our guiding principles.
Some articles you might like
Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/04/2024
Summary
Thinking about becoming a General Manager? Here’s what you’ll need to succeed The path to becoming a General Manager is as rewarding as it is challenging, but success doesn’t happen by chance. I
by
Laura Kelly
Teaser
CultureContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/04/2024
Summary
At Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), our General Managers are the heartbeat of our business, driving excellence in hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences. We believe in celebrating su
by
Rebecca Skeet
Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/28/2024
Summary
Temporary Christmas jobs are a great way to earn extra cash for the holidays while gaining valuable work experience. They offer the chance to build new skills and try out roles like bar, waiting
by
Rebecca Skeet
Teaser
KitchenContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/28/2024
Summary
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to lead a buzzing kitchen team, create memorable dining experiences, and make your mark in hospitality, you’re in the right place. To give you a better ide
by
Laura Kelly
Teaser
CultureContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/27/2024
Summary
As we approach St Andrew’s Day, it’s the perfect time to celebrate not only the rich culture and history of Scotland but also the opportunities available within Mitchells and Butlers. What is St
by
Rebecca Skeet
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/27/2024
Summary
It’s that time of year again, university students are going back, freshers is in full swing, and so many students are moving across the country! We know that having a pub job at uni is the best
by
Rachel Weaver
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/22/2024
Summary
In today's busy world of pubs and bars, it's not just about the drinks. What really sets a place apart is how well they treat their guests. At M&B, we believe that every interaction is an opportu
by
Katie Handy
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/22/2024
Summary
So, you're thinking about a bar job in London? Let me tell you, it's not just a job – it's a lifestyle upgrade! Picture this: every shift is a chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and ex
by
Rebecca Houseago
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/06/2024
Summary
What is a part-time job?A part-time job is pretty much what it sounds like—a role where you work fewer hours than a full-time position. For anyone looking to earn some extra income, balance work
by
Sophie Dawson
Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/06/2024
Summary
At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th
by
Rebecca Houseago
Jobs you might like...
Salary
Competitive Salary
Location
Toby Carvery - Eden Park, Beckenham, BR3 3HQ
Departments
Chef
Hours
Full Time
Vacancy Type
Other role
Brand
Toby Carvery
Location
Beckenham
Description
No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As a Chef at Toby
Reference
2350251
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Competitive Salary
Location
Toby Carvery - Eden Park, Beckenham, BR3 3HQ
Departments
Kitchen Assistant
Hours
Full Time
Vacancy Type
Other role
Brand
Toby Carvery
Location
Beckenham
Description
No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! With your suppor
Reference
2350249
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Competitive Salary
Location
Toby Carvery - Eden Park, Beckenham, BR3 3HQ
Departments
Kitchen Assistant
Hours
Full Time
Vacancy Type
Other role
Brand
Toby Carvery
Location
Beckenham
Description
No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! Unwrap your per
Reference
2350248
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Perks of the job...
Love dining out? You'll love it even more with a massive 33% discount across all our brands when you join us. Whether it's date night at Miller & Carter or family roast at Toby Carvery, we’ve got you covered. See what other tasty benefits we offer…
Fancy an
award winning apprenticeship
Ever thought about an apprenticeship? Fire up your career with one of our multi-award winning apprenticeship programmes which are designed to give you the skills to become a hospitality pro.