Apprenticeship options (please offer advice)

I've accepted offers from 3 apprenticeships (offers depend on achieving certain grades so technically haven't fully got the offer). I'm stuck on which to choose. All three follow different paths /qualifications, some narrow my future career (e.g.offering more specified qualifications or the job not having future work opportunities abroad) I'm equally interested in each of the three apprenticeships but can't decide which one to go for. The factors that are causing me to question which option to choose are One of the companies being a smaller/independent company which possibly means I could progress through faster and be recognised more easily, whereas the other companies have big names, and more competitive but of course this means being backed by a well-known company. Also, the larger companies take on more apprentices which means I'm more able to socialise and get that "uni experience". Finally, one apprenticeship requires me to move away from home which I have always been interested in purely because it allows experience living alone and being more independent, I could also move in with other apprentices from my course. Does anyone have any tips on how I could decide or any firsthand experience from bigger vs smaller(independent) companies? Need advice on what others would do in this situation and is anyone else facing the same problem?

Reply 1

apprentinsideryt

9

Original post by alevelstudie

I've accepted offers from 3 apprenticeships (offers depend on achieving certain grades so technically haven't fully got the offer). I'm stuck on which to choose. All three follow different paths /qualifications, some narrow my future career (e.g.offering more specified qualifications or the job not having future work opportunities abroad) I'm equally interested in each of the three apprenticeships but can't decide which one to go for. The factors that are causing me to question which option to choose are One of the companies being a smaller/independent company which possibly means I could progress through faster and be recognised more easily, whereas the other companies have big names, and more competitive but of course this means being backed by a well-known company. Also, the larger companies take on more apprentices which means I'm more able to socialise and get that "uni experience". Finally, one apprenticeship requires me to move away from home which I have always been interested in purely because it allows experience living alone and being more independent, I could also move in with other apprentices from my course. Does anyone have any tips on how I could decide or any firsthand experience from bigger vs smaller(independent) companies? Need advice on what others would do in this situation and is anyone else facing the same problem?

Hi, I'm a degree apprentice myself so here's my advice.

Big companies have their pros and cons, and so do smaller companies. Whilst, yes, you may get recognised more quickly at a smaller company (as you will be a bigger cog in a smaller wheel), I think for apprenticeships, bigger companies are better for the following reasons:

•

lots of people your age in your cohort to socialise with (people at smaller companies can become quite isolated with no one else their age)

•

likely bigger and more exciting projects to work on at large companies

•

they already have lots of apprentices so they know the drill - they will likely offer you more support and more days off for study leave

•

more job security at a bigger firm

Those are all generalisations and, of course, it can differ from company to company. That's just my take on it overall and if I was in your shoes, I would be going with the bigger company.

If you want, I can send through some resources which cover everything you need to know about preparing for an apprenticeship and succeeding in one once you start, including the process for relocating (in case you decide to go with that option). Let me know if you're interested in that, and I'll send it over.

Hope that helps and good luck in achieving your grades.

Reply 2

Chris2892

16

Original post by alevelstudie

I've accepted offers from 3 apprenticeships (offers depend on achieving certain grades so technically haven't fully got the offer). I'm stuck on which to choose. All three follow different paths /qualifications, some narrow my future career (e.g.offering more specified qualifications or the job not having future work opportunities abroad) I'm equally interested in each of the three apprenticeships but can't decide which one to go for. The factors that are causing me to question which option to choose are One of the companies being a smaller/independent company which possibly means I could progress through faster and be recognised more easily, whereas the other companies have big names, and more competitive but of course this means being backed by a well-known company. Also, the larger companies take on more apprentices which means I'm more able to socialise and get that "uni experience". Finally, one apprenticeship requires me to move away from home which I have always been interested in purely because it allows experience living alone and being more independent, I could also move in with other apprentices from my course. Does anyone have any tips on how I could decide or any firsthand experience from bigger vs smaller(independent) companies? Need advice on what others would do in this situation and is anyone else facing the same problem?

Pick the company that will invest the most in your development over the duration of the apprenticeship.
You’ll have the rest of your working life for business travel and independent living.

Join your local uni student union and get involved in societies if you want “the student life.”

(edited 5 months ago)

Apprenticeship options (please offer advice)

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