6 Myths About Apprenticeships - Busted
When I first considered doing an apprenticeship, I ran into a lot of outdated ideas. Some from friends, others online, and especially from older family members.
Now that I’m nearly finished with mine, I can confidently say: most of those myths were completely wrong.
Let’s bust a few of the biggest ones I heard before I started.
1. “Apprenticeships are only for people who didn’t do well in school.”
False. Apprenticeships are for everyone, regardless of academic background.
They offer hands-on experience, recognised qualifications, and genuine career progression. Many apprentices are ambitious, motivated learners who thrive in practical environments. You don’t have to have “failed” at anything to choose an apprenticeship -you just have to want to grow.
2. “You don’t earn much as an apprentice.”
Yes, the starting wage can be lower, but that’s only part of the picture.
You’re being paid to learn while gaining real-world experience. Plus, the opportunities that follow often lead to permanent roles and competitive salaries. Some apprentices progress faster than graduates because they’ve already had two years of hands-on work.
Consider searching for apprenticeships with companies who are working towards or are B Corp certified. These are Living Wage Employers who pay their lowest-paid workers the Real Living Wage.
It’s a long-term investment in your future.
3. “You miss out on the ‘uni experience.’”
That depends—and for some of us, we’ve already had it.
I went to university and later found myself changing paths. Doing an apprenticeship later in life gave me something completely different from my uni years: confidence in a new skillset, the chance to earn while I learn, and a clear, structured route into a new career.
For others who haven’t gone to university, apprenticeships offer a different kind of experience, one that’s grounded in the real world, where you gain independence, professional relationships, and momentum from day one.
It’s not about what you miss out on- it’s about what you gain.
4. “Apprentices just make tea and do admin.”
This one really made me laugh because I’ve never made tea for anyone at work (unless I was making one for myself!).
From day one, I’ve worked with systems, problem-solved IT issues, and contributed to real solutions. The learning curve was huge — after 3 or 4 months I couldn’t believe just how much I had learned on the job, and just how many different tasks I was able to handle with confidence.
Apprentices aren’t there to watch from the sidelines - we’re part of the team.
5. “Apprenticeships don’t lead to real careers.”
Totally false. I’ve met countless professionals who started as apprentices - including people in tech, healthcare, engineering, business, and more. The government is keen to push more Level 3 apprenticeships, which (hopefully) means that there will be more opportunities for people to get started in their chosen career.
Employers invest in apprentices because they want to grow future talent. If you commit, learn, and show up, it can absolutely be the start of a long and rewarding career.
6. “You can’t be creative in an apprenticeship.”
As someone who came from designing jewellery and selling artwork, I used to believe this one.
But I’ve found that creativity is everywhere! It’s in how I solve problems, explain technical ideas, and improve processes. Apprenticeships in tech, especially, benefit from creative thinking and diverse backgrounds.
You don’t have to leave creativity behind, you just bring it with you.
Final Thought
If you're thinking about doing an apprenticeship, don’t let old stereotypes stop you.
Apprenticeships are modern, flexible, and full of opportunity. They’re not “second best”, they’re a powerful way to learn, earn, and grow.
Got a myth to bust or a story to share? Drop it in the comments or connect with me on LinkedIn — I’d love to hear your experience.