Statistics show that in 2015, 249,000 will observe the national youth service scheme. There are thousands of other graduate equivalents who are not involved in the scheme from schools of nursing, Open University and some other institutions of higher learning. There are also those who will graduate from colleges of education, technical schools etc. In a country like Nigeria with massive unemployment, fresh graduates are at a major disadvantage in the employment market. Employers have the field, asking for years of experience as criteria for employment. So how will fresh graduates garner the experience if they are not given opportunity of first employment?

Countries with developed economies and even those with not so developed economies have deployed Entrepreneurship to plug the gap between college and workplace.  Apprenticeships give aspiring professionals the real world experience they need to get the edge. Getting ahead of the crowd as an apprentice means taking advantage of every opportunity to increase skills and knowledge of the career.

Some advantages of Apprenticeships include; Intimate knowledge of the work environment; Hands-on job training; Chance to use skills; Access to career mentors; Career path advantage and; Increased confidence.

Experts say Apprenticeship programmes can be better than internships because young professionals may be more motivated to apply themselves in an actual work situation. Apprentices get the edge on using skills in fields like cooking, baking and carpentry by being allowed to exercise them on a daily basis. The apprentice’s mentor also gives valuable feedback.

Job Training

On the job training is provided by many colleges and universities, but apprenticeships are usually information arrangements. Job training in this form has the increased benefit of being gained in an actual work environment. Entry-level positions may require recommendations from people you have actually worked with, not just your teachers and mentors. Apprenticeships give young professionals the opportunity to showcase and develop their skills in a more challenging environment than experienced by most.

Career Knowledge

Apprenticeship experiences can affect the future career decisions of participants in job training. The apprentice may find that he or she is not actually suited for the position. The apprenticeship, by giving the young professional an opportunity to use his or her applied skills, reveals strengths and weaknesses. Apprentices can use observations of their own performance, as well as performance provided by their supervisors, to grow as professionals or make a career change to an area they are more interested in. Supervisors can become valuable mentors. Being farther along in their professional development, they can give advice about education, training opportunities, networking and skill development. Maintain an open line of communication with your apprenticeship supervisor to ensure your success.

Increased Confidence

Young professionals may encounter the stumbling block of confidence. A confidence barrier can come in the form of uncertainty about job expectations, unrealistic expectations due to inexperience or an unrealistic picture of the career path. Young professionals who participate in apprentice programs may see confidence levels rise due to feeling like they are more a part of the profession. Interacting with professionals in your field can help you get a better understanding of what the job is actually like and how you fit into it.

Students and/or young professionals may find that they have a great advantage in the job market because of the experience. Not only does the apprentice programme benefit the job seeker on the resume and in the form of recommendations, it help on the job, as well. Apprentices will likely find themselves more confident than their peers with relating to their superiors and using leadership skills. Apprentices may also find their communication and time-management skills to be above average. Apprentice programme experiences are invaluable to employers because they show dedication, forethought and a willingness to work.

Also, kicking off your career with an apprenticeship is a great way to get a head start in the field you want to work in as you will get first-hand knowledge of how the industry works, plus be able to see whether or not it’s really what you want to pursue as a career.

Learn while you earn

Even with still competition in the Nigerian employment market, there are still many employers who will pay their apprentices because you are already a professional useful in the field be it engineering, journalism, medicine, agriculture, ICT. And so, Apprenticeships enable you to start working and earn a decent wage while you learn key skills and gain the qualifications that future employers want. As your skills progress, your employer may up your paycheque as well. This not only helps out your bank account, but gives you an extra incentive to do well in your apprenticeship.

Support

One of the largest advantages of getting the qualifications you need in your field, while being able to put the skills you learn into practise at the same time, is that someone will always be on-hand to show you how things are done. If you have any questions about techniques, terminology or anything related to the industry, you can instantly ask your manager. Asking questions, taking on more responsibility and trying new things will help you get better in your apprenticeship

Good career prospects

Your apprenticeship will be very rewarding, even if at times it may seem demanding. Once you have finished your apprenticeship, you’ll have a world of options open to you. You may be able to carry on working in the same place, or look for a similar job in a different company. Having industry experience is very important when getting your first job, so being able to show that you’ve got that plus qualifications will give you a huge advantage over other applicants.

Eventually, your apprenticeship may have showed you other interests that you never knew you had, so think about going to university or getting another qualification. Or, take some time out to think about your next step, and look into taking a gap year -you can work abroad, volunteer or just travel.