CPE Essay: Apprienticeship Programs

Source: Upstream: C2 Student's Book by V. Evans and J. Dooley, 2nd edn., p. 163.

Recent years have seen a rise in apprenticeship programs as modern challenges of economy require adaptation to employment demands. Both texts discuss the value of such programs for trainees.

The first author outlines the benefits young people will gain in vocational training. Firstly, adolescents will gain deep theoretical knowledge of their trade in classroom instruction. Secondly, they will be awarded certificates as a proof of their abilities, which, I reckon, will deem them competitive candidates in the eyes of their future employers. Lastly, being paid for working while learning, young people will not have to look for a side job, but concentrate all their energy on training. I believe that by seeing the work from inside, young people will have a clear perspective of how well they are fitted for a trade, and companies will have an opportunity to train apprentices to fill emerging gaps in workforce.

The second author stresses the potential of apprenticeship schemes in contributing to trainees’ career advancement in their current jobs. Notably, in apprenticeship programs, workers can acquire new skills and knowledge that they wouldn’t otherwise have gained in their workplace. This expertise can be immediately applied to their work, thus testifying to its high practical value. Having gained insights into different aspects of work and having improved their professional skills, workers will stand a good chance of promotion.

All things considered, vocational programs open opportunities for workers – new and old – and employers alike. It remains to hope that more apprenticeships will come into existence to address the professional demands of our fast changing world. 




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