Insights into apprenticeship completion: perspectives from apprentice experience

This exploratory study delves into the experiences of newly registered apprentices in the built environment sector, focusing on themes influencing apprenticeship completion. 33 apprentices were surveyed across carpentry and joinery, electrical, and plumbing trades in November and December 2023 at an Irish apprenticeship training centre. Drawing from a combination of systematic literature review findings and direct input from apprentices, the research offers a multifaceted perspective on factors influencing apprenticeship completion. A positive relationship with employers (48%) and satisfactory wages (45%) were deemed most significant for apprenticeship completion, particularly in the electrical trade. By comprehending the challenges apprentices encounter during their apprenticeship, educational institutions, employers, and mentors can design more effective support systems to assist apprentices in overcoming these challenges. The study aims to contribute to body of knowledge in this sector and the improvement of apprenticeship programmes, recommending further research with larger sample sizes and qualitative methods.