What the social life is like during an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships at KPMG come with social life and networking opportunities comparable to university.

A big draw of uni is the opportunity to make friends and socialise, and a lot of school-leavers consider university partly because of the social life. But you don’t have to miss out if you choose the apprenticeship route, particularly if you join a large firm.

The KPMG apprenticeship course is taught at university in concentrated blocks, so apprentices have the experience of going to university together and taking exams at the same time. What’s more, the intake of apprentices each year means that there are plenty of young people just a few years older, and just as in university, you might study or socialise with second- and third-year students.

“KPMG in the UK takes on over 100 apprentices per year across the country, and that meant there was a big cohort of apprentices joining at the same time as me,” says Tahiya, who is 21 and in her third year as an audit apprentice.

“When I joined, I was with a large number of students who were all my age and it meant there was a social networking group that felt like the size of a whole school year.

“It was great because you made friends quickly, and you could ask the other joiners if you had any questions about work. You could talk about your struggles together because they’d probably be experiencing the same things. It’s helpful if you need help or support.”

Next step for school leavers

Tahiya studied Maths, English Literature and Biology for A level and in Year 12 began to look at her options for further study.

“University was definitely the route that was encouraged, and I did apply but I always knew I wanted to do something related to accounting and finance. I thought that if I studied for an accounting degree, I wouldn’t have the work experience of being an apprentice and I wouldn’t be earning while I studied, so in the end that was the deciding factor.”

She says it is always good to have a backup of different career paths and different opportunities once you finish school, rather than purely focusing on university.

Social life at work

Tahiya has built up both formal and informal networks at work – she has got involved in social events and done a lot of volunteering.

“I have had lots of opportunities to have informal conversations and connections with apprentices because they are all my age and I feel a connection already,” she says.

KPMG arranged for all the joiners to have a week at university when they first started, which helped everyone get to know each other.

“We also have regular socials after work via an apprentice community that organises socials for all the apprentices, either in the office or at venues outside, such as a bar.”

The social committee also organises meetings in the office for apprentices where they can ask questions and share experiences in a relaxed forum. Then there are the informal meet-ups in the bars and restaurants near the office. Tahiya is also involved in charity volunteering, giving talks to schools on the benefits of apprenticeships and she is part of the Hindu network at the firm.

The value of training on the job

Tahiya says the main fear that people have about apprenticeships is going into a new workplace and having to meet lots of new, more senior colleagues.

“It is true that you are put in situations where you have to interact with a lot of new people, but you grow into it,” she explains. “You start speaking up more and getting involved and you open up. I have seen that happen, even to shy people. By learning on the job, we assimilate important communication skills such as how to speak professionally with clients, and how to compose a work email.”

Freedom and flexibility

Neither does being an apprentice preclude you from enjoying the fun of moving away from home and sharing a house with others. Tahiya decided to join her friends from school in their student house in London and doesn’t regret it.

“I moved out with some of my friends who are at university because I wanted the experience of living with them,” she says. “As a university student, you move out of your house for three years and share a place with your friends. I live in London, my family home is in London, and so is my office, but I wanted to get that experience of living independently and doing things by myself. It’s taught me a lot about how to manage my money, transport costs, groceries and rent.

“Living together works out well because my friends have their separate university life and I have my own job and office life. Despite the difference in lifestyles, we have fun. Overall, I would say I have had more flexibility and freedom because I am earning a salary, and I can start to save for things that I want in the future.

“Money wasn’t really a huge factor in my decision to take up an apprenticeship but earning a salary has taught me a lot about priorities and budgeting. I don’t have any student debt and I have money to spend on things that I enjoy.”

Marianne Curphey is an award-winning financial writer and columnist, and author of the book How Money Works. She worked as City Editor at The Guardian, deputy editor of Guardian online, and has worked for The Times, Telegraph and BBC.