Not in all cases, but commonly, apprentices are young adults i.e. school leavers. This may mean that experience in a working environment may be significantly less than someone who is older.

So how do you dress for your new job?

T.M. Lewin have helped us to understand different formality's in the working environment by creating a graphic named 'Cracking the Office Dress Code' (see below)

Last Tuesday saw six Apprentices complete their training to become Apprenticeship Ambassadors for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships. 

Ambassadors are representatives for Apprenticeship schemes. They come from all over Oxfordshire and work for a wide range of companies and institutions to promote Apprenticeships as a great way to start a career, using their own stories and their first-hand experience to inspire young people across Oxfordshire.

During the training the Apprentices learn how to tell their own Apprenticeship story. They can then go to schools and careers events and speak to students considering Apprenticeships, parents, and companies considering taking on Apprentices. 

Congratulations to the new Ambassadors, including University of Oxford Apprentices Grace Parsons (IT Services) and Frances Murray (Bodleian Library)!

Do you have the 'bug' for apprenticeships? Why not show it by taking a selfie with one of our Apprenticeship Bugs?

From the 3rd to the 31st October, Oxford University Apprentices are running a competition to see who can take the best picture with one of our tiny mascots. Anyone can enter, whether you're a member of the Univeristy or just enthusiastic! Just tweet us or tag us on Instagram using #ApprenticeshipBug for the chance to be featured on our Instagram, and the best picture at the end of the month will win a prize.

So get creative! Take your bug sightseeing to an Oxford landmark, or go further abroad and take it on holiday with you! Or, with Halloween just around the corner, why not show off your costume in a spooky selfie with your bug?

You can pick bugs up at any Apprenticeship event run by the University or at the Wellington Square Reception. You can also contact megan.janes@admin.ox.ac.uk to arrange how to get some.

Happy snapping!

Not Going to Uni, an online apprenticeship directory, have published an article on seven reasons to choose an apprenticeship over going to university.

Our favourite reasons include:

As an apprentice your career is underway as soon as you get started. There is no need to wonder what you will be doing when you qualify as you are already doing it! Many apprentices even stay working with the company they apprentice for – making the transition into work really easy.

Unlike heading straight into a job, an apprenticeship will offer you structured support while you train. With people who are genuinely doing the job you are training for alongside you, you can pick up tips and advice as you go. Those not quite ready for an apprenticeship can still get things moving with a traineeship, which will offer a good foundation from which to move forward.

And, very importantly:

While we have already mentioned earning a wage while on your apprenticeship there is a much larger financial benefit to doing an apprenticeship compared to going to university. With no tuition fees there is no debt. You will be able to start your career without the burden of owing thousands of pounds – never mind how such debts could impact your credit rating and future financial well-being!

Read the rest of the reasons here, and find out why an apprenticeship might be the right choice for you!

Oxford University Apprentices now has it's own Twitter page! Follow us for updates on what we're up to, apprenticeship-related articles and even the occasional GIF.

Find us at @OxUniApprentice, or follow the link in the sidebar.