Apprenticeships have long been a cornerstone of vocational training, offering learners the opportunity to gain valuable skills and practical experience in a real-world setting. But there are some misconceptions surrounding apprenticeships and End-Point Assessments that might potentially deter you from taking that first step on your apprenticeship journey.
In this article, we’ll debunk those myths and help you decide if an apprenticeship might be the right fit for you.
Myth 1: Apprenticeships are just for young people
One of the most prevalent myths about apprenticeships is that they’re exclusively for young people straight out of school. But in reality, apprenticeships are available to individuals of all ages. That makes them an ideal option for career changers, adult learners, and those looking to upskill or reskill while earning a salary.
This flexibility is beneficial for care home staff, who often work irregular hours, and their managers, who may find it challenging to carve out time in busy schedules for their team to attend in-person sessions.
Myth 2: Apprenticeships are only for entry-level positions
Another misconception is that apprenticeships are limited to entry-level or low-skilled positions. And while, yes, apprenticeships can offer a pathway into many entry-level roles, they also cover a wide range of industries and occupations, including highly skilled and technical professions and management-level positions.
Here at FuturU, we’re an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for levels 2 through 5 health and social care apprenticeships as well as Business Administrator and Team Leader or Supervisor (Level 3) apprenticeships.
Myth 3: I can’t afford to do an apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are an affordable and accessible pathway to acquiring a new qualification. Unlike other educational routes that may require students to pay tuition fees or student loans, apprentices earn a salary from day one of their training. That means you can gain valuable work experience and skills without accumulating debt, making apprenticeships a far more financially viable option for everyone.
Myth 4: Apprenticeships are less valuable than degrees
Some people mistakenly believe that a degree is the only route into some careers, but this simply isn’t true! Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of practical experience and theoretical learning that is highly valued by employers.
When you complete an apprenticeship, you’ll have an industry-recognised qualification, relevant work experience and transferable skills that’ll equip you for success in your chosen field.
Myth 5: Apprenticeships are limited to certain industries
Wrong! Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors, including health and social care, hospitality, marketing, sports, construction, and hair and beauty, just to name a few.
Apprenticeships in the health and social care industry are available at GCSE level, all the way up to a degree level. You can search for an apprenticeship here.
Myth 6: Apprenticeships are boring
This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. Apprenticeships offer a dynamic and hands-on learning experience that’s anything but dull.
With an apprenticeship you can say goodbye to the classroom – you’ll have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills in a real-world work environment instead. You can expect to engage in meaningful tasks, solve complex problems, collaborate with and learn from experienced professionals and gain firsthand experience that’ll enable you to work confidently and contribute to the success of your organisation.
Read more: ‘It’s perfect for me’: Lisa’s apprenticeship story →
Myth 7: Your End-Point Assessor will try to trip you up
Nope, not true. In reality, your End-Point Assessor is a professional who has been trained to conduct a fair, objective and impartial assessment of your skills and competency against the apprenticeship standards. They’re not there to catch you out or trick you, but rather to evaluate your performance accurately and provide constructive feedback to support your ongoing development.
All of FuturU’s assessors are experienced professionals with in-depth and hands-on knowledge of the apprenticeship standards and assessment criteria. And they’ll do their best to put you at ease and calm any nerves you might have before and during your assessment. Your assessor will be in touch before your assessment, to introduce themselves and answer any questions you may have.
Myth 8: Failing your EPA means failing your apprenticeship
While not passing your EPA is understandably disheartening, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your apprenticeship journey.
For the standards we offer at FuturU, you can resit an assessment component once. And you’ll get feedback, regardless of the outcome, after your assessment – this will outline any missed opportunities or areas for improvement, as well as what you did well. It’s really important you read this carefully to help you prepare for your resit. And don’t forget that your training provider is on hand to support you too.
Read more: How to calm nerves before your End-Point Assessment →
Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way to gain practical experience, develop valuable skills, and grow in your career. And we hope that by debunking some common myths around apprenticeships and EPAs, we’ve shown you that apprenticeships are an attractive and accessible pathway to success in your career!