Apprenticeships Abroad

The benefit of doing an apprenticeship abroad is that you will learn a trade or skill that can be transferable, and often desirable, in different countries across the world, allowing you to move from country to country whilst securing paid work and there are always apprenticeships abroad for young people, overseas jobs are perfect for people looking for paid apprenticeships abroad and there will always be places for apprenticeships abroad for UK students.

Where can I go?

There are plenty of options available to you. The good thing about apprenticeships abroad is that you are not restricted from visiting anywhere on the planet, so long as you book the flights over, however applying for university in America and studying in Australia are very popular options for many reasons. Firstly they are both very large countries which provide numerous opportunities and both are well-developed and English speaking.

They both require trades and skills from overseas, and America in particular, has a large construction industry which is a popular apprenticeship field within the UK. Be sure to look into how to get an apprenticeship abroad to see more on where you can study when looking for jobs abroad or thinking of working abroad. Make sure you make the most of them, since they afford the same opportunities as your year 11 work experience.

America

Due to its size, there are hundreds of opportunities to explore in every sector of employment in America. The country has the most advanced media in the world and also has huge exports of machinery, vehicles, aircraft, oil, electronics and medical equipment, meaning there really is something for everyone! They also have a lot of smaller businesses as well as the large companies.

There are relatively strict visa laws when applying for a job in America, but there are plenty of people to help you apply for the correct one, should you get to that stage. You will be expected to already hold the right to work in the USA when applying for jobs, so make sure you have done your research and applied for a visa before seriously searching and applying. You can use online job searches to apply or use a university careers service.

Getting sponsorship from a company is also possible, but will only usually happen if you are transferring from a UK branch of the same company. If you are applying for a job in a particular skill you may be eligible for the H brand of visas, these limited visas are usually completed by an employer rather than an individual. You will also need to look into an Student F1 visa.

If you want to apply for an internship or work experience, you can apply for a Student J1 visa, this allows you to temporarily work for up to a year in most cases, although for some trainee programmes, up to 18 months. This visa option is perfect for those wanting to do a short stint in The States and you don’t have to have the visa before applying, as some companies will make these arrangements for you, and may even have you fill out an exam, in the same vein as the IELTS Test.

For those wanting to volunteer in an unpaid role, the B1 visa is the one for you. There are specific conditions, so definitely check these before applying but is perfect if you plan to undertake charity or religious work.

Australia

Australia is one of the best places to look for apprenticeships abroad for 16 year olds or apprenticeships abroad for 17 year olds. You can start an Australian apprenticeship as a school leaver, after college or even as an adult wanting a change in career or to boost your experience in your current work. As in the UK, your apprenticeship will be paid and will be a combination of on the job and school-based learning.

Your Australian apprenticeship will be regarded nationally and can be taken overseas, perfect if you plan to do a short break in Australia and then come back to the UK to continue work or study, or if you’re planning a permanent move. There are plenty of websites online that allow you to search for an Australian apprenticeship, but be aware, just like the American apprenticeship requirements, most will want you to already have the right to work in Australia via a successful visa application.

Will I get paid?

There are numerous volunteer internships across the globe, but it is also possible to secure a paid job or apprenticeship. It may be that you need the money to fund your trip and lifestyle or that you just want to get experience of working in another country.

Payment or salary will be explained in the job or internship specification when you apply. If you are unsure about any of the specifics, it is always worth checking during an interview. There’s nothing worse than expecting payment and misunderstanding, or finding hidden costs.

Do my qualifications count?

Most companies will recognise your UK qualifications, however, it is a good idea to read up on the qualifications awarded in the country you plan to work in, so that you are able to explain the level of education you have. You should also find out if your degree will be accepted in the particular country, same with a HNC or an HND.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship abroad?

It can seem very daunting to apply for an apprenticeship, internship or work abroad but luckily there are numerous companies set up to help people in this exact position. You should start your search by talking to a college or university careers service who will be able to show you correct websites to search through if applying for a permanent job.

For internships and volunteering, there are dozens of world recognised charities and programmes.

Visas?

Before applying for an apprenticeship or work abroad it is worth checking out what the visa requirements are for that specific country. Some countries are harder to get a visa for than others, some can be expensive or require health checks or vaccinations, which could end up becoming very expensive.

By researching this in advance you will know exactly what is expected when you apply. You are then able to ask the company if they are able to pay for, or make a contribution towards any of the required checks or whether it will be entirely paid for by you. Either way, you will need a visa to do paid work abroad or when looking for graduate jobs abroad.

Will I be able to come home during my apprenticeship? You should check directly with the company to see how long your apprenticeship or work placement may be. If it is a permanent position, or even if it isn’t, you should see how much annual leave you are entitled to and how flexible their annual leave is.

If it is a longer or permanent job or apprenticeship, it is also worth finding out if you get any return flights home paid for.

What experience will I gain?

Sometimes it’s hard to know what the right step is to better your career or improve your skills. Working abroad is a great addition to any CV, and writing a student CV is tough if you don't have anything good to write about, but now you will! Although some people may think that working abroad is the equivalent of taking a break in a career or putting it on hold, it can actually hugely benefit your CV and future job prospects.

Having this experience on a CV shows potential employers that you are willing to place yourself out of your comfort zone. It will also look great on your personal statement if you do apply to go university after your apprenticeship. Moving abroad is a big step for anyone and it shows that you learn quickly and can adapt to new situations. Depending on the job and the country, you may have picked up a new language, this is thought of very highly when applying for any job at any stage of your life.

For example, those looking to work in the world of sport (who will already be aware of the importance of sport at university) have been hugely benefited when working abroad as well, this could mean that they have done football apprenticeships abroad or football coaching apprenticeships abroad and have learned about different cultures, different styles of play or different ways that game is played in other countries.

Learning about this and doing work abroad, will mean that you will also have a much more interesting CV, once people have seen that you have done degree apprenticeships abroad, especially if you are looking to work in sport, as football clubs, rugby clubs and more are always looking for candidates with international experience.

Erasmus

The Erasmus programme is a programme run by higher education facilities to undergo a year of study in a European country, don't worry, this isn't based on your UCAS Tariff Points. Fully supported by the education system, it allows you to experience a fixed period of time in study or work, a bit like year 10 work experience. Most of the hard work will be organised for you and you won’t be too far away from home, so again, this is a great option for those who want to give it a try!

Is this the right step for me?

Working abroad is definitely something to consider carefully. If you are a home bird and struggle with a weekend away from the family, living and working abroad might not be for you, no matter how exciting the job. It is, however, always a good idea to challenge yourself, so if you’re on the fence, find out how easy it is to come home should you change your mind.

It also depends on your degree. If you're looking to work with animals, then looking into animal apprenticeships abroad or veterinary degree apprenticeships abroad, then you'll be making a huge leap forward in what you want to do.

For those looking for adventure, working abroad could be a great idea, you will be able to see parts of the world without the stress of having no money, whilst gaining skills and experience that will be favourable to an employer back home. Carefully consider all of your options and research into locations and available jobs before making up your mind. It is always worth talking to a school or college careers adviser and even having a chat with friends and family. No matter what your experience abroad may be, it will more often than not be beneficial to all aspects of your life!