When I was a lost lil butterfly in high school with a scattered idea of what I wanted to do when I was all grown up, I disregarded apprenticeships pretty quickly.
The only reason I palmed them off was that I immediately associated apprenticeships with being under a car five days a week, and while that is absolute goals for some people, I can barely eat pizza with my hands so it did not sound like my forté.
What they should probs tell you more in school is that apprenticeships can be 100% the right option for ya. So, before you make the same mistake as I did and write them off altogether without any research, here are a few misconceptions that need to be clarified.
1. THERE ARE ONLY APPRENTICESHIPS FOR TRADES
While you can most certainly get into an apprenticeship for trades like locksmiths (I only use this as an example because that was my heart’s desire between the ages of 23 and 23.5), apprenticeships have officially expanded into non-trade industries like health and the digital world.
To get an idea, here’s a handy lil guide to show you what you can do.
2. IT’S A BACKUP PLAN
Au contraire my sweet turtle doves, many-a friend I know who started out as an apprentice have gone on to earn a lot more than I do. I’m talking, an entire apartment in Sydney more.
But obviously it’s not all about the cash – you have to love what you do too. So, if you’re hella keen on an apprenticeship but you have naysayers in your ears asking what your plan after that is, tell ’em to shove it. This is a long-term plan.
3. YOU’RE GONNA GET GREASY
Again, not every single apprenticeship involves getting your hands dirty.
Sorry, that was directed at younger me more than anything, pls ignore the sass.
But I’m not wrong – there are a tonne of apprenticeships you can do that don’t even involve moving your hands. I mean, you do but not to the extent you might be worried about.
Think graphic design, advertising, hairdressing etc.
4. NOT EVERYONE CAN DO ‘EM
Did you not see those few examples of apprenticeships out there? The same person who would be a gun at hairdressing might not necessarily be a gun at graphic design and vice versa.
There’s a smorgasbord of apprenticeships out there and if you can’t find something that tickles your fancy, look harder. It’ll be there.
5. IT’S NOT GOING TO TAKE YOU PLACES
This myth always baffles me – apprenticeships are practically the definition of a path that takes you places.
It gives you time to hone your skills, become qualified in an area of your choice and you best believe you can use those qualifications to climb the ladder – whatever ladder that may be.
6. THEY’RE JUST FOR SCHOOL-LEAVERS
Youse a fool if you think this is accurate.
Have you not heard of people changing career directions later in life? Apprenticeships are for everyone from all walks of life, babycakes.
If you’re hankering for more info, just hit up skills.sa.gov.au for all your apprentice-related q’s to be answered, or head to Skilled Career on Insta to get an idea of what path you might wanna venture down.
