Belonging, becoming and being: First-year apprentices' experiences in the workplace

Last updated by: ako_admin (Ako Administrator) on 7 November 2011 - 10:20am

In this report, the perspectives of first-year apprentices (both continuing and discontinued) and pre-trade student are studied to explain the factors influencing young peoples’ decision to commence and continue with apprenticeship.

Author

Selena Chan, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology

November 2011

 

 

Executive summary

In this report, the perspectives of first-year apprentices (both continuing and discontinued) and pre-trade student are studied to explain the factors influencing young peoples’ decision to commence and continue with apprenticeship.

Apprentices and pre-trade students from 7 industry training organisations (ITOs) encompassing the primary, infrastructure, manufacturing and service sectors participated in this project. Data collected from focus group and individual interviews were analysed using case study methods to derive findings based on first-year apprentices’ experiences.

The study’s findings include:

  • the need to help individuals match their ‘vocational imagination’ with the workplace realities;
  • that support is required to help novices establish a sense of belonging to a workplace; and
  • assistance is required to maintain engagement and momentum for apprentices’ eventual completion of apprenticeship and qualifications.

This report has been funded by Ako Aotearoa through the National Project Fund and is available in PDF version only.

An additional guide for apprentices “Being an Apprentice” has also been produced. This will be available in print and online. To order your print copy of this guide, email: info@akoaotearoa.ac.nz