Electrical engineering apprentices from our power distribution patch in central southern England are urging young people to consider earning while they learn with an apprenticeship rather than racking up massive debts at university.
Dylan Cooper, from SEPD’s Poole depot, and Zachary Shelton who works at the company’s Reading depot are among those backing National Apprenticeship Week, maintaining that being paid to learn is the way forward for a generation that faces the largest ever university debts.
Dylan said: “Before my apprenticeship I went to university for two years but I didn’t really enjoy the way of working, I really wanted something that was a bit more hands on. I thought an apprenticeship was a good way of getting into a job that has good rewards for the future and where you can earn while you learn, which is much better than going to university and struggling with debt in the future. Having a wage just gives me much more opportunity to enjoy life a bit more, whilst the training will allow me to progress my career as far as I want to. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anybody.”
According to the Skills Funding Agency, apprenticeship participation now stands at a record level with 871,800 funded apprentices earning while they learn in the 2014 to 2015 academic year, and nearly a quarter (23%) of former apprentices receiving a promotion within 12 months of finishing.
Zachary added: “I’d already had a few jobs before I became an apprentice, but I just didn’t feel like they were leading anywhere. With this apprenticeship, there are opportunities to go beyond the cable jointing that I’m learning now; I feel supported and encouraged to aspire to become team manager and beyond. I think one of the best things though is that I’ll be a fully qualified as a cable jointer once I’ve finished the course and won’t have any overheads or debt. At the end of the day, I’m being paid to learn a trade, and I’d say this is one of the best choices I’ve ever made.”
National Apprenticeship Week runs from 14 to 18 March 2016 and aims to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships over traditional academic routes into work.
To find out more about an apprenticeship with Southern Electric Power Distribution, visit www.sse.com/careers/apprentices