First-Hand Retelling...
From School Into The Workplace
We handed this blog over to one of our apprentices: Thomas Joyner, who started his apprenticeship with Norbar Torque Tools in 2019.
From adjusting to full working days and travelling to ETT to earning his first salary and taking on more responsibility, Tom shares his experience of making the move from school into work...
Over To You Tom...
1. Going From School to Work
"The Transition Was Like Day & Night"
My name is Thomas Joyner and I started my apprenticeship with Norbar Torque Tools at the age of 16 in 2019.
All of a sudden, I went from a five-hour school day to an eight-hour working day. I went from a heavily structured environment to one where I was expected to take responsibility for getting the job done.
There was no longer a teacher looking over my shoulder to make sure I was working. Instead, there was a level of trust and I was expected to work hard and maintain that trust.
Whereas at school I was treated as a teenager, in the workplace I was immediately treated more like an adult, which I personally found very refreshing.
2. Taking on Responsibility
Being Trusted To Do The Job Properly
One of the biggest changes Tom noticed was the responsibility that came with being part of a real workplace.
Be Reliable |
Turning up on time and being ready to work suddenly mattered in a much more practical way.
Work to a Standard |
Other people could be relying on the work being completed correctly.
Follow Procedures |
Workplace processes and health and safety requirements became part of everyday working life.
Contribute |
Earning a wage also meant being expected to contribute to the company.
3. Getting Used to Full Time Work
The Working Day Was a Big Adjustment
I spent just over a month in the workplace before starting at ETT, which gave me a real taste of working a full day. I had never spent so much time on my feet, so it took me a couple of weeks to get used to it.
It also gave me an insight into the company's working environment, its ethos and what would be expected of me as an apprentice.
School
= 5 Hours
Shorter, structured days...
Work
= 8 Hours
Longer days with responsibility.
4. Adapting to Travel
Travel Was One of The Biggest Practical Changes
Tom's apprenticeship required him to spend the first year of his four-year programme at ETT full-time.
His travel in particular was between Banbury → Abingdon
Around 3 Hours (travelling each day)
Being 16 and unable to drive meant relying on public transport, which was a major change from the short journey he had been used to at school.
5. Comparing the ETT Experience
ETT Felt More Like Work Than School
The expectations at college were much closer to those at work. Turning up late wasn't something you could do without expecting consequences.
The ETT worked closely with my training provider and employer, so there was a real connection between what I was learning and the apprenticeship itself.
One of the best things about college was being in a small class with apprentices from different engineering companies.
“We all shared the same interest and passion for engineering.”
6. Support During The Apprenticeships
Support Throughout The Programme
Engineering Trust Training supported Tom's learning throughout his apprenticeship.
- Progress Support | Training Officers worked with him throughout the apprenticeship
- Workplace Assessment | Skills and work demonstrated within the company were reviewed
- Learning Support | Help was available if issues arose during the programme
- Personal Responsibility | Apprentices still need to put effort into both work and training
7. Earning at 16
Receiving a Salary Changed Things
Starting an apprenticeship and receiving a salary opened up a completely new level of freedom compared with being at school. It also meant learning about money, saving and even workplace pensions from a young age.
Tom gained more than just money, he explained benefits such as:
Greater Independence
Money Management Experience
Understanding Savings
Awareness of Workplace Pensions
Greater Maturity
Experience Working With Different Age Groups
8. Key Considerations Before Applying
What Should You Expect After Leaving School?
Starting an apprenticeship at 16 means becoming an employee as well as a learner.
Working Hours |
Your day may be much longer than the school day you're used to.
Responsibility |
Employers will expect you to be reliable and take ownership of your work.
Training |
You will need to manage learning alongside workplace responsibilities.
Salary |
You will earn while developing practical experience and skills.
Important to Remember...
Every Apprenticeship is Different!
Tom's experience reflects his own apprenticeship structure. Training arrangements vary depending on the apprenticeship standard, employer and training provider.
- Day Release
- Block Release
- College-Based Training
- Workplace Training
- Practical Workshops
- Other Delivery Models...
Travel Should Play a Big Part in Selection of Apprenticeship (think about Tom's journey - could you do that?
If you don't drive, think carefully about how you'll get to both the workplace and any training location.
Where is the employer based?
Where will training take place?
How long will each journey take?
Does public transport run early enough/ late enough?
Can I get home after the working day?
What do journeys cost?
To Summarise Based on Tom's Experience...
It's a Big Change, But a Chance to Start Your Career Early...
Tom's story shows how different the move from school into an apprenticeship can feel. You take on more responsibility, work longer days and have new expectations placed on you, but you also gain experience, independence and the opportunity to develop your career from a young age.
An apprenticeship means becoming an employee and a learner at the same time.
So... Are You Leaving School?
Start Your Engineering Apprenticeship...
Engineering Trust Training works with engineering employers to recruit and train apprentices across a range of occupations. Explore our current vacancies or submit a general application.
[Tom's account reflects his personal experience of starting an apprenticeship in 2019. Apprenticeship programmes, training arrangements and individual employer requirements vary. Information updated August 2026]