The benefits of doing an apprenticeship far outweigh the lower entry-level pay scales.
What you sacrifice in your pay packet is made up tenfold with the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship.
You gain financial and other perks such as:
- Paid annual leave
- Social benefits
- Hands-on employer support
- Peer-to-peer backing
Lucrative career
One of the most lucrative careers you can embark on is that of an electrical engineer. After serving a four-year apprenticeship, you can look forward to earning R300,000 plus a year. Your income will rise steadily to between R576,000 and R6,4 million annually as your experience grows.
Start with a CV
To kickstart your career, prepare a good CV to accompany your apprenticeship application. Remember, first impressions are crucial so make sure that your CV meets prospective employer expectations. They need to find the right candidate to undertake an electrical engineering career.
Your CV must be well written and showcase your skills and whatever experience you may have in your chosen field.
Now, let’s take it a step at a time.
Your personal statement
Good CVs begin with strong personal statements.
A good CV should contain a summary of your career goals, your skills, and whatever experience you have obtained, and focus on why you are interested in embarking on an electrical engineering apprenticeship.
Highlight your skills by listing relevant information. For example, your competency with electrical regulations and codes, your familiarity with electrical systems and circuits, and your experience with electrical tools and equipment.
Your qualifications could include an N6 Certificate in Electrical Engineering or a National Diploma in that field.
Your work experience
Outline all work experience in the field of electrical engineering that you may have gained. This could include part-and-full-time work in the industry, or previous apprenticeships or internships. Mention your achievements and responsibilities in your work career.
Your projects and/or courses
Include any courses or projects you have undertaken to improve your skill level.
Communication skills and teamwork
You will often work in a team. A prospective employer needs to know whether you can work efficiently as part of a team and have the communication skills required to share technical information with your teammates.
Pain points
Now, let’s delve into your pain points and how to overcome any drawbacks.
1. Limited work experience: As an electrical engineering apprenticeship candidate, one of the biggest challenges you may face is a lack of relevant work experience. If you are a recent graduate or have little to no work experience, this could be a significant barrier to entry. To address this, you can highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities to demonstrate your technical skills and aptitude for electrical engineering.
2. Limited industry connections: Another challenge is a lack of industry connections. Apprenticeship positions can be limited in number and competition is fierce. Without strong industry connections, it can be challenging to get your foot in the door. To overcome this challenge, you can network with professionals in the field, attend industry events, and join professional organizations to build your network connections.
3. Demonstrating technical proficiency: As an apprentice, you need a solid understanding of technical concepts and how to apply them to real-life situations. To address technical proficiency, you can highlight any relevant coursework, certifications, or technical projects that demonstrate your ability to apply technical concepts to solve problems. Additionally, you can provide specific examples of technical challenges you have faced and how you overcame them to showcase your problem-solving skills.
The importance of a professional CV
We can never overstress the importance of presenting a professional CV when applying for an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer. Investing in a strong and professional CV is the key to opening the door to your future career.
Overview
Develop a CV that showcases your skills to the maximum.
Do not present a CV unless it is a polished and professional document.
If you appoint a company to write your CV, regard your financial outlay as an investment in your future career.
First impressions are critically important. So put your best foot forward.
