7 ways to make the most out of your apprenticeship

So you’ve started your apprenticeship and want to make the most of it.

Congratulations–just by reading this article, you’ve already got the right attitude towards your apprenticeship.

Here, we’ll show you some more ways that you can get the most out of your apprenticeship and become an expert in your trade. 

By using these 7 strategies, you’ll graduate with the confidence to take your career to the next level.

1. Manage your time

Doing an apprenticeship is a lot of fun, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s easy.

An apprenticeship can be challenging because you’ll be working full time and then studying in the evenings or on weekends.

But despite the challenge of juggling work, study and your other commitments, plenty of people have successfully completed their apprenticeships—you can too.

What’s their secret? A little thing called time management.

Set aside time to do your homework so that you don’t fall behind in your studies.

Everyone is different, so work out which times are best for you, whether it’s on the weekend or evenings.  

2. Ask questions

One of the best ways to learn is by asking questions of your trainers and your workmates.

When you’re doing one of our building and construction courses, you’ll have experienced and friendly trainers to answer your questions about your trade or your course work.

Similarly, your workmates and boss at work are there to help you succeed.

Asking questions demonstrates your willingness to learn and to succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

3. Ditch the device

As tempting as SnapChat, TikTok and Instagram can be, you’ll be better off without the distraction.

While it’s easy to take out your phone and sneak in a few messages with friends, ditching the device helps you make the most out of your apprenticeship.

Instead, focus on your job and minimise your app time to learn faster and feel more confident in your skills.

4. Take breaks

It’s not just apprentices who love to take breaks. Scientists recommend taking breaks for work or study to help you reboot.

By taking short breaks from time to time, you’ll improve your concentration throughout the work day.

For an effective break that refreshes you, try these tips:

• Disconnect from work 
• Stretch your body
• Go for a short walk
• Watch a funny video

5. Eat healthy

As an apprentice tradie, you’ll be doing a lot of physical activity.

To improve your performance at work and to prevent aches after a long day, you need to live a healthy lifestyle.

A healthy diet can increase your energy throughout the day, and help your body recover faster.

We recommend eating lots of fruit and vegetables and avoiding sugary beverages and fast food.

6. Exercise

Although trades are pretty hands-on, you still need to do regular exercise outside of work to keep healthy.

The Australian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend doing 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate activity per week or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise per week.

You might go for a run a few times per week at your local park or spend a few hours at the gym.

By taking the time to do exercise outside of work, you won’t just improve your performance at work, you can also improve your overall happiness and wellbeing.

7. Reward yourself

As an apprentice tradie, you’re well on your way to becoming a qualified tradesperson–and that’s something to be proud of.

Take the time to reward yourself by doing the activities you love. 

Think catching up with family and friends, footy games and weekend barbies.

Rewarding yourself by doing the things you love is important because it helps you maintain a good work-life balance for your mental wellbeing. 

How to make the most out of your apprenticeship

Make the most out of your apprenticeship by committing to your studies and by maintaining a good work life balance.

With these 7 ways to make the most out of your apprenticeship, you’ll complete your apprenticeship knowing that you gave it your best.

With the right attitude, you can become a qualified tradie and be confident in your skills and abilities as you begin a rewarding career.

Curious about starting an apprenticeship in the building and construction trades? Speak to a course advisor about your eligibility for funding on 1300 4 CWBTS ​​(1300 429 287) or send us a message today.