You juggle appointments, manage medications, and provide emotional support—all while trying to figure out your own future. For many young adult carers, the thought of starting a career can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. If you’re eager to start earning a salary while you learn, an apprenticeship could be a great choice. You’ll get paid from day one, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and learn valuable job-specific skills on the job
Your Experience is Your Strength 💪
As a carer, you’ve developed skills that are incredibly valuable in the workplace. Think about your day-to-day:
- Organisation: You manage complex schedules and multiple tasks.
- Problem-Solving: You handle unexpected situations.
- Empathy & Communication: You connect with people and understand their needs.
These are not just “soft skills”; they’re the foundations of a successful career. Your lived experience gives you a unique edge!
Finding the Right Apprenticeship for You 🔍
West Sussex is buzzing with apprenticeship opportunities in a variety of fields. Here’s how you can find the perfect fit:
- Health and Social Care: Given your experience as a carer, you may have developed valuable skills that are highly transferable to this sector. The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust works with a variety of training providers, and the apprenticeships they offer are always evolving to meet the needs of the healthcare sector. For the most current information and to see what opportunities are available right now, click here.
- The official Find an apprenticeship service on GOV.UK is a comprehensive tool for anyone in England looking to start an apprenticeship. Think of it as a central hub where employers post their apprenticeship vacancies, and you can search and apply for them. You can filter by location and industry to see what’s available near you.
Interviewing with Confidence 🎙️
Interviews can feel intimidating, but they’re just a conversation. Here are a few tips to help you shine:
- Do your homework: Research the company and the specific apprenticeship you’re applying for. Understand what they do, their values, and what the role involves. This shows you’re genuinely interested.
- Practice makes perfect: Practice answering common interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want this apprenticeship?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Think of specific examples from your life, including your caring role, that demonstrate your skills.
- Prepare your questions: Having a few questions ready to ask the interviewer shows you’re engaged. Ask about a typical day in the role, the training and support you’ll receive, or what the company culture is like.
- Dress the part: While you don’t need to wear a suit unless it’s a very formal role, dressing smartly and professionally shows you’re taking the opportunity seriously.
- Arrive early: Plan your journey and aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early. This gives you time to compose yourself and shows you’re reliable.
A Helping Hand: Impact Initiatives: Workability 🤝
Impact Initiatives is a Brighton-based charity that works across Sussex to help people live healthy and fulfilling lives. Their service, Workability, is designed to help carers and people with disabilities find suitable employment.
- How they can help: Workability provides one-to-one support to help you explore your options, develop a plan of action, and build key skills like CV writing and interview techniques. They can also link you with local employers and offer ongoing support once you’re in employment.
- They understand your situation: Crucially, Workability looks for employment opportunities that fit around your caring responsibilities. They recognise the unique challenges you face and provide confidential, free support to help you find a job or apprenticeship that works for you.
Workability understands your challenges and can provide the guidance you need to find an apprenticeship that works for you. Reach out to them to start a conversation about your future.
My Future: Your Space to Share
My Future is a support group just for young adult carers (16-21). It’s a safe and friendly place to chat about your experiences, share what’s on your mind, and just have some “me time.” Our team is here to listen and can also point you towards other resources or services that might make things a little easier.
Want to know more? Give us a shout at 0300 028 8888 or drop us an email at info@carerssupport.org.uk. We’d love to hear from you!
We’re Here for You!
We’re always here to chat about your caring role, wellbeing, or answer any questions you might have. Give us a call at 0300 028 8888 or email us at info@carerssupport.org.uk. You can also explore our website for more info and use the Carers Smart Search.
Take care,
Young Adult Carer Team
