Apprenticeships: The Impact of Covid-19 #NAW2021

One year on from my previous blog, and I’m still here, at Fortus! Still eager to learn and experience as much as I can, and I’m incredibly grateful to have the security and opportunities available to me, particularly as we still find ourselves in the grips of the global pandemic, which has hit so many of us, and so hard too.

Currently, I’m in my third year of studies at the University College of Estate Management (UCEM), meaning I’m over halfway towards gaining my degree in Real Estate Management. To date, I’ve increased my knowledge tenfold and progressed my understanding in various areas surrounding property hugely, which has subsequently given me more confidence in daily activities. Continuously putting my learnings into practice is something I relish, and without an apprenticeship, where this is considered the ‘norm’, I’m not sure how well I’d be able to do this otherwise.

As we all know, Covid-19’s changed the way we live and work indefinitely, not just over the past 12 months. Thankfully, it’s not just Fortus, but UCEM who have also, been incredibly supportive during this period. The latter providing their students with additional time to complete their assignments and offering free mental health and financial support.

Part of my apprenticeship allows for me to have one study day per week, enabling me to fully focus on my learning. As a valued member of the Fortus team, I’m fortunate to have been given the option to make this study day flexible, so I can take it whenever I feel it’s most appropriate throughout the week, which in turn, allows me to cope better with the high workload periods.

I’ll shortly be entering the second semester of my third year, meaning there’s around 18 months more study, until I complete my degree. I’m also due to start my Assessment of Professional Competence process, more commonly known as ‘APC’, which will finish a year after my degree, when hopefully I’ll become a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)!

So, in conclusion, if I were given the option to go back in time and chose whether I’d go to university or embark on an apprenticeship journey again, I would, without hesitation, chose an apprenticeship. With many universities operating remotely and the lack of a guaranteed job upon graduation, more and more people are turning towards an apprenticeship, in a bid to secure a job and kick start their careers. Apprenticeships are an exciting opportunity to receive hands-on training and the chance to put your skills into practice! So, what are you waiting for?