Apprenticeships can be a desirable alternative to a college education, especially as you can learn on the job and be paid to develop the skills that will support you throughout your career. It can seem like smooth sailing with no known disadvantages. However, quite the opposite can be true. Many apprentices face the following difficulties:
Financial Challenges
Unlike college students who must learn about their industry before joining it, apprentices are generally paid to learn on the job. As desirable as this prospect sounds, they may not earn enough to support themselves.
Many apprentices are only paid minimum wage and aren’t always afforded the same benefits as employees. Workers’ comp for plumbers, electricians, and other trades should include apprentices as well. However, what’s supposed to happen on paper doesn’t always happen in practice. So apprentices who get injured are sometimes left in a difficult financial position.
Not Receiving Employer Support
Many employers welcome apprentices into their businesses to help them develop their skills, hoping they’ll positively contribute to the industry. In return, they have an extra pair of hands and a diverse team. While many employers are supportive of apprenticeship programs and the apprentices they hire, not all are so accommodating.
It’s not uncommon for employers to take a hands-off approach to their apprentices and have them perform menial tasks rather than jobs that will improve their skills. This can make apprentices feel unsupported and undervalued.
Being Harassed
Most apprentices expect to be welcomed into a supportive work environment so they can train and upskill. Instead, some are harassed, belittled, intimidated, and made to feel uncomfortable. Not wanting to lose their apprenticeship, many apprentices put up with the harassment until they can become qualified and forge their own path in their industry.
Employers must understand that unlawful harassment can have severe consequences for their business. They can be suspended or deregistered from apprenticeship programs, lose federal contracts or grants, and even be made to pay monetary damages for their actions.
Producing Unsatisfactory Work
Most apprentices work hard to produce satisfactory outcomes for their trainers or employers. However, being new in an industry can often mean apprentices make mistakes, work slowly, or don’t perform jobs to the standard of trained professionals.
When employers and trainers aren’t satisfied with the work produced by apprentices, they might consider canceling their training contract. This can have devastating consequences for an apprentice who might struggle to secure another opportunity.
Poor Training
Many employers hire apprentices in the hope that they can secure them as qualified employees at the end of their apprenticeship. However, not all employers realize the significance of their position in training. If apprentices aren’t trained appropriately or supported through their studies, they may not learn the skills required to complete their apprenticeship and excel in their field.
Achieving Work-Life Balance
The average employee can complete a day’s work and keep their non-working hours free for family and hobbies. Apprentices don’t typically get to enjoy the same work-life balance. Throughout the four years of an average apprenticeship, they can work full-time hours of 30 or more a week while using their out-of-work time to study and pass qualifications. These long hours can take their toll.
Apprenticeships provide many benefits, like on-the-job training and earning while you learn. However, apprentices can also encounter many challenges, such as a lack of support and training, financial issues, and harassment in the workplace. By being aware of the most common challenges, apprentices can be better informed before entering their chosen apprenticeship.
