So we're approaching National Apprenticeship Week (3rd-7th March) and, as DPG's Digital Apprentice, it only seems appropriate if I join in! :-)
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a whole week where apprentices and employers can go CRAZY on apprenticeship awareness - anything that attracts people's attention and raises awareness - it's our chance to be creative on the subject of 'Apprenticeships'!
NAW is very important to me because it's raising awareness on apprenticeships, which I do everyday. Leaving high school, no one had told me anything about apprenticeships or any other options except from college - so it's important that I use next week as an opportunity to share my journey with other young people.
It's also important because I get to do really great stuff throughout the week! I've got really cool activities planned and I can't wait to share my experience with everyone.
Follow the #NAW2014 on Twitter all throughout the week and share what you learn!
This morning, Mike and I attended Manchester's Big Conversation on Maximising Millennials at Media City and I met really nice people who were interested in finding out about my journey as an apprentice - and I was more than happy to tell them about it! I also picked up my certificate for being Apprentice of Month for February! ;)
We learned a lot and even got the chance to tell our own journey as an apprentice and an employer. A report to come shortly...
So I'm getting really excited about next week! I'll be writing a few blogs on the community on the topic of apprenticeships, young people, generations and many more interesting topics so watch this space.
Throughout the week, you'll notice that the Pick of the Day will be on young people & apprenticeships etc., on Monday I'll be doing a Google Hangout with Mike and some of the team at The Apprentice Academy and hopefully I'll be leaving it with different opinions on apprenticeships, generations etc. and an interview from @JimLearnJourney co-founder and ambassador of the academy.
On Tuesday I'll be heading back to my old high school and doing a talk on apprenticeships and basically telling the students that there IS another option. And I'll be writing a report/blog on my experience and the feedback :-)
I'll keep you all updated on what I get up to throughout the week.
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I've also entered in the Hotcourses Apprentice of the Year Award which finishes on the 7th March. If you like what I share and think I'm doing a good job as an apprentice, please vote for me (I'm on the 2nd page).
I also want to hear from you, the wonderful DPG Community members! I want to hear your experiences (good or bad) if you've ever worked with an apprentice in your organisation or if you have anything to say about apprenticeships or millennials in general.
If you want to know more about my journey, watch this video:
Stay tuned...
Deb
Replies
Love this video Debs. Well done for this and your awesome approach to #NAW14
Hi Alison,
Thanks for the feedback, if you haven't already, go and check out my first step to becoming the best apprentice you can be.
Maybe you can share the advice with your own apprentices?
I'll be sharing more throughout the week so stay tuned :-)
I'm glad to hear you've also experienced the apprenticeship journey! It's good to hear different stories - I recommend you do a short blog/discussion on the DPG Community on your personal journey as an apprentice/young worker I'd love to hear more about it :-)
The word 'apprenticeship' comes from the Old French word 'aprentiz' which means "someone learning". An apprentice is a young person from the ages of 16-24 who is willing to learn from someone more experienced, usually in a higher position, in a workplace environment.
I don't believe that there is a difference between an apprenticeship compared to an ordinary job. Apprentices are doing normal jobs however, they may be less complex as they are so young in the workplace.
An apprentice does need more support and coaching from basic work etiquette to learning new skills. However, apprentices can learn fast and work quickly and help business become more productive.
I hope this helps Alison.
Deb
That's interesting Deb, thank you.
I was wondering about the role of formal education within the context of an apprenticeship.
Our apprentices are all doing a part time NVQ course in engineering (over 4 years) as well as all the "On The Job" training they do.
I did a formal "day release" qualification with my first job (which was never described as an apprenticeship.) I later went on to do a full time degree in Chemistry.
My friend who did a carpentry apprenticeship - he was a "chippy" - went on later in life to do a degree in Architecture. As far as I know, he now (many, many years later) builds wooden boats (yachts) for very rich people.
My friend who got the electrical engineering apprenticeship packed it in after a couple of years and has been successfully doing his own thing ever since. The insight into the daily grind made him realise it was not for him and he took his talents and used them elsewhere!
I'll keep my eye out for your posts!
Your plans for next week sound very exciting Deborah, well done you organising it all. I wish you the best of luck with it all. No need for you to worry at all, you'll be a knock out. I love your video as well.
We have 3 apprentice engineers at our place. I wonder if they are aware it is national apprentice week next week? I'll have to find out what they are going to do to raise awareness of the role of apprenticeships.
When I was at school it was quite common, especially for boys, to go into apprenticeships to learn trades such as carpentry or electrical engineering for example (just two I recall a couple of my friends going into.) It was one of the standard options in the West Midlands where I was at school.
I must admit I don't recall any girls going into apprenticeships at the time, but I do know hairdressers often start out as apprentices if they are lucky.
Looking back, my first job on leaving school might as well have been called an apprenticeship, as I worked 4 days and went to college on day release for 1 day, which was a requirement of my job as a lab technician in the R&D dept of a chemical manufacturing company. I don't know why it wasn't called an apprenticeship.
Perhaps you could help explain to me, what is the definition of an apprenticeship compared to an ordinary job Deborah?