In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with Nicola Leitch, Early Careers Programme Lead at Moy Park to get her top tips for parents and carers so they can offer support for children and young people as they consider career opportunities.
As a parent or guardian, you want your child to get the best possible start in their career and there are so many options available for young people when they leave school. Having open and honest conversations to find out how much your child knows about the different career paths and helping them research a variety of different roles is a great starting point.
What is an apprenticeship?
“Parents often ask us what an apprenticeship entails, and the simple answer is that apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn. Apprenticeships are a great option whether your child is finishing school and is unsure what career route to take or if they have a desire to learn something new whilst working in a busy industry environment.”
Top Tips for Parents and Carers
1. Explore your options
“It is important that both you and your child are open minded and prepared to explore the range of opportunities available. There is a surprising number of apprenticeships available, so it is important to help your child explore pathways that reflect their aspirations and abilities. Once they have an idea about what they would like to do, encourage them to do some research into what the role involves and to consider whether or not they possess the qualities needed for the role. As a parent, you can help them through the decision-making process to ensure they make an informed choice.”
2. Understand the bigger picture
“Apprentices spend approximately 80% of their time with their employer and 20% of their time working towards their qualification. With an apprenticeship, the employer makes the financial contribution allowing apprentices to achieve their qualification without the worry or stress of student fees so it’s a great debt free alternative to consider.”
3. Consider Training Programme
“Apprenticeships are designed by employers, so the training provided reflects the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for their chosen profession. I would recommend considering your child’s preferred learning style and encouraging them to think about how they like to learn and what works best for them. As your child will be gaining hands on experience, their confidence will grow in time, and they could benefit from a blended learning approach.
As the saying goes, choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life!”
To find out more about apprenticeships at Moy Park click here.
