Ixion is one of the leading providers of traineeships for 16 to 24 year olds. There are lots of great reasons to do a traineeship that matches your needs and interests!
If you’re about to leave school or are early in your career and looking to break into your dream field, you might be wondering what to do next. Between jobs, college, university, apprenticeships, and much more, there are endless options for you out there – like traineeships.
What is a Traineeship?
A traineeship is a skills development programme which lasts anywhere from 6 weeks up to a full year, though most last six months or less. It includes a work placement of at least 70 hours and can prepare you for a job or a full apprenticeship.
You can do a traineeship in a huge variety of fields, from childcare to construction and many more. Traineeships are unpaid (though you will receive a bursary and financial support – more on that in a minute) and are free for the trainee.
To be eligible for a traineeship, you must be 16 to 24, have little to no work experience, and not have achieved a qualification at Level 3 or higher. You’ll also need to be legally allowed to work in England.
We’ve worked with Ixion, a leading traineeships provider, to share the benefits of traineeships for young people looking to launch their careers. Here are six great reasons to take the plunge.
1. Boost your confidence in work and life
Believing in yourself is a huge asset in the workplace and in life in general. Your traineeship will help you to grow your skills and improve your knowledge. You’ll learn something new every day, and when you look back at the end of your traineeship, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.
As a trainee, you will also have the opportunity to work on your tasks independently. The trust and confidence your employer shows in you will boost your own confidence and self belief in turn.
Your mentors and tutors will also prioritise your health and wellbeing, ensuring that you learn how to achieve a strong work-life balance, and coach you on how to present and conduct yourself at work.
2. Make friends and build your network of contacts
It’s a cliche, but it’s true: success in your career can be as much about who you know as what you know. That’s why building your network and getting to know people can be a huge asset, whatever stage of your career you’re at.
Working as part of a team is a rewarding experience. Good colleagues support each other and work together to achieve a common goal. Your fellow trainees and your colleagues at your work placement might even turn out to be great new friends!
Your traineeship will give you the opportunity to meet accomplished professionals and leaders in your field, to work alongside more experienced people, and to learn from everyone you meet. You’ll be able to ask questions and observe them at work, and benefit from their feedback on your work.
Pro tip: create a professional profile on LinkedIn and connect with the people you meet during your traineeship. It’s a great way to keep in touch and keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends, exciting developments, and job openings.
3. Do something that excites you
You can do a traineeship in almost anything. You’re bound to find one that matches your interests! You can get traineeships in construction, childcare, hair and beauty, and so many more. Sometimes, people feel that school isn’t a good learning environment for them, but find it easier to feel motivated and excited to learn new things on a traineeship which matches their interests and builds their self-confidence.
4. Earn your English and Maths qualifications
English and Maths are essential for many jobs, training courses, and further education programmes.
But if you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for, there’s no need to worry. A traineeship will help you improve these key skills in a non-academic environment and you can complete your Level 1/Level 2 qualifications as part of your traineeship. This means that, whatever you want to do next, you’ll have the foundational qualifications you need to get you there.
5. Improve your CV with new skills
Your traineeship will focus on a specific industry of your choosing. You’ll learn the necessary skills to go on to a full apprenticeship or a job in that field.
You’ll also have the opportunity to improve your digital skills, as well as your English and maths.
Your traineeship will also give you a grounding in many of the more general skills that employers value. You’ll learn to communicate well, solve problems both individually and as part of a team, manage your own time and workload, and become a productive, reliable, and self-motivated employee.
Even if you’ve never had a job before, a traineeship can look great on your CV. It signals to employers that you have these “soft skills” and that you can apply yourself to achieve a goal. All of this helps you to stand out from the crowd when you take the next step in your career.
6. Learn how to apply and interview for jobs
There’s no getting away from it: the job market is tough and there can be many applications for each role. The key to getting ahead is in knowing how to write a great application and how to give a fantastic interview.
Your traineeship mentor and tutors are invested in your success beyond the end of your traineeship. They will provide information and guidance on your chosen career path, advise you on your next steps, and be by your side every step of the way. They will also support you with writing your CV and honing your interview skills.
An added benefit is that at the end of your traineeship you will get a job interview or employer feedback to help you be your best and get ahead.
7. Boost your finances with a bursary and more…
Ixion trainees receive a training allowance of £40 per week while on the programme. Some traineeships offer incentives such as a free toolbox on course completion, as an alternative to the training allowance and to help you get started in your career.
What Next?
Have we piqued your interest in traineeships? If you think this is the right path for you, you can learn more by contacting Ixion or apply now by exploring current opportunities and completing the application form.
Good luck with the next step in your career!
