Find Out How to Upskill While Working

For years apprenticeships have been viewed as the domain of the young, embarking on their first steps towards fantastic careers.

And while this may be true, it’s important to note that they’re not just for school leavers, in fact, apprenticeships are a great option for upskilling at any age. 

Apprenticeships give employees at any stage of their careers the opportunity to expand their existing skills and develop new ones. Apprenticeships are available in a huge range of sectors from Level 2 right up to degree Level 5 and beyond, and whilst embarking on training while working can seem daunting, here are five great tips on how to make it work for you: 

Stick to your learning schedule

One of the conditions of an apprenticeship is that 20% of the learning must be completed off-the-job. This means that your employer must allow you time away from day-to-day activities to undertake the topics and units required for your apprenticeship standard. For most full-time members of staff this equates to one day per week, and it’s a crucial part of successful upskilling. Depending on the programme, this can mean that you’ll visit one of our fully equipped training centres, complete self- directed study or receive support at your workplace from a Total People Learning Coach.   

Access Support

An intrinsic part of a Total People apprenticeship is our commitment to support you throughout the programme. From the outset you’re allocated a Learning Coach who will guide you through every process. Learning Coaches have often been apprentices themselves, so they know what it’s like to work and learn at the same time. This shared experience makes them empathetic to your needs, and they can often anticipate any bumps in the road before they even arise. They are understanding, flexible and professional, and they want you to succeed, as Keith Higgins found during his apprenticeship. 

Plan and Prepare

Every apprenticeship standard has a ‘roadmap’ which sets out when certain tasks will need to be completed. It can be helpful to mark these down on a calendar at the start of your programme, so that you’re aware of any deadlines. Your Learning Coach will visit you every few weeks to check on progress and conduct a review, to make sure you’re happy and on track.  

Find Balance 

Successfully completing an apprenticeship really depends on how much you look after yourself, as well as your study. Regular exercise, plenty of water and healthy eating all contribute to optimum performance, and it’s also important to take regular breaks away from study and work to do the things you love. Mindset can also be key; stay positive and see every challenge as an opportunity for learning and growth. 

Talk to Us 

Don’t ignore any difficulties, we understand that life is complicated and juggling work and study can be hard! But we’re here to help, support and guide you. Remember, upskilling through an apprenticeship will not only help you develop new skills, it will boost your confidence and self-belief. Go for it! 

Find out more about apprenticeships or call 03333 222 666 to speak to one of our expert team.