It’s one thing to start an apprenticeship.
It’s another to complete it knowing you’ve done everything in your power to make the most of the wonderful opportunity you’ve been granted.
At Usher Group, we invest heavily in not only employing apprentices but doing all we can to provide them with the resources and skills they need to lay the foundation for long and prosperous careers.
However, at the end of the day, the key factor in determining the success of an apprentice is the apprentice themselves.
As the saying goes, attitude is everything and there have been countless examples of young men and women with unlimited potential who failed to set the world on fire – or even make it to the finish line – because they underestimated the little things that separate achievers from wannabes.
On that note, here are a few tips to get the most out of an apprenticeship, be it with Usher Group or another company that has chosen to invest in you.
Communicate Well: this isn’t about telling good stories or being the most popular person on a worksite. It’s about ensuring your managers and colleagues can trust that you are listening to their instructions and, as importantly, know that you are confident enough to speak up when needed.
Be Independent: there is a belief these days that young adults increasingly need their hand held when it comes to even the simplest of tasks. Be the exception! Show initiative and contribute ideas. Try to solve your own problems. Aim to become respected as a self-starter.
Grow: nothing impresses a manager more than seeing an apprentice willing to learn and develop new skills. Be it using relevant technology or trialling new systems, stepping outside your comfort zone is crucial to getting ahead at work and in life.
Be Organised: worksites are busy places but it’s amazing how much more relaxed and safe they become when you are organised. There is less need to rush and more chance of having everything you need to perform. Likewise, organisational skills are crucial for balancing work and study time when you are attending TAFE during your apprenticeship.
Be a Team Player: everyone wants to work in a happy and productive workplace and we all have a role to play in making that a reality. Part of being a successful apprentice is contributing to a positive workplace culture and you can help achieve this by assisting colleagues where appropriate, learning from others and working cooperatively with your team.