McMahon, E; Spillane, J P and Bradley, J G (2024) Insights into apprenticeship completion: Perspectives from apprentice experiences. In: Thomson, C (ed.) Proceedings of 40th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2024, London South Bank University, UK.
Abstract
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.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | built environment; occupational challenges; qualitative study; questionnaires; vocational education and training |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, sample size, plumbing, apprenticeship, qualitative study, built environment, programme, body of knowledge, qualitative method, exploratory study, drawing, wages, vocational education and training, systematic literature review, mentors |
| Subjects: | professional education, mechanical systems, project controls, practitioner, student development, research design and methodology, data collection methods, research methods, research evaluation and metrics, infrastructure and transport systems, business economics, knowledge management, technical documentation |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Human Resources, Education, Information Management, Time Control, Design Practice, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here