A practical approach to your career
Everybody wants to be successful in life, however not everybody wants to invest 3–5 years studying for a degree.
Thankfully, there are now alternative options, like the growing apprenticeships schemes, which allow you to combine work with studies, giving you a head start onto your chosen career.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship allows you to work for a salary and study at the same time. One of the great benefits of this is that you do not have to pay tuition fees as your company will do this for you or will receive funding from the government to pay on your behalf. You will have on-the-job training at your workplace and also attend college or university depending on the level of your apprenticeship.
By the end of your apprenticeship, you will have gained the necessary skills, knowledge and practical experience to continue working in that sector or progress onto the next apprenticeship level.
Key Facts
· An apprenticeship will give you a wage, qualification and experience working within the sector
· The government has pledged to create a further 3 million apprenticeships by 2020
· The national minimum wage for apprenticeships for under 18’s is £4.34 per hour and £8.21 for 25 and over
· There are over 20,000 apprenticeships available across all industries from creative arts to STEM (science, technology engineering, maths)
· The cultural and arts sector is currently supporting 6,500 apprenticeships
· As a result of the demand of the STEM industry, the sector plans to increase the intake of female STEM apprentices to 30% in 2018, which is still increasing in 2019
· 90% of apprenticeships stay in work after finishing
Can I apply for an apprenticeship after GCSE’s?
Yes, you can. Depending on your results, you will need to apply for either an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship. When you complete this, you can progress onto the next level the following year. If you choose not to, that’s also okay as you will have good experience and knowledge to stay in your role or progress in another role.
How easy is it to get into an apprenticeship?
This is a very competitive market as many young people are competing for the same positions and employers will only select those individuals who they believe to have the motivation, drive and commitment to do the job. You will need to meet specific entry requirements from your GCSE’s or college studies and also be successful at a formal interview.
Going into an apprenticeship means serious work, real responsibilities and commitment to study. It is not easier than a degree or college studies. It is a different way of learning and building skills with a practical approach to your career.
What levels of Apprenticeships are there?
There are different levels available, which creates wider opportunities for students of all academic abilities:
*Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeships = equivalent to GCSE’s
*Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship = equivalent to A-Levels
*Level 4 & 5 Higher Apprenticeship = equivalent to Foundation Degrees
*Levels 6 & 7 Degree Apprenticeship = Equivalent to Bachelors or Master’s degree
University Vs Apprenticeship
Making a long term decision is always a tough one. Think about whether you would like to attend lectures seminars do research assignments on a subject you wish to study in-depth. You will have the opportunity to work with other students studying the same course, complete projects and dissertations on your chosen topic over 3–4 years or longer depending on the degree.
After finishing your degree, you will have gained multiple skills such as critical thinking, debating, teamwork, leadership skills and many more depending on your degree. Your career options will be wider and you can then embark on looking for the right job and making applications for roles that interest you. You will need to apply for a student loan to pay your university tuition fees.
However, if you feel this is not for you but would still like to study then an apprenticeship may be more suitable as you can combine both work and study at the same time.
Apprenticeships are a practical way to learn with real hands-on experience. You will be an official employee of the company with a contract right from the start. You will be expected to attend university or college at least 1 day a week and complete theoretical assignments and do project work. Your employer will give you time off from your job role to do this.
If you decide this is the route you wish to take, firstly, you will need to make sure you are applying for the right apprenticeship and that means one which is within the industry you want to progress in.
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Where can I find Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are available in all industries from the creative sector to the STEM sector (science, technology, engineering and maths). Whether you are creative or enjoy a structured and methodological approach, there are many apprenticeship opportunities available:
Big companies that offer Apprenticeships
You may wish to do some research directly from company websites. Whether you are interested in finance, creative roles or catering opportunities, below are a few of the companies that offer these apprenticeships:
What if I don’t want to go to University or complete an Apprenticeship?
You can go straight into employment after your college studies. Completing a vocational programme sets you towards a particular industry as you will gain a qualification in a specific specialism, for example Computer Science or Health and Social Care. That means you will have practical experience through your work placements, which will be suitable for related jobs.
Choosing isn’t easy when you are unsure. Take the time to find something you enjoy and interests you have.
Take the Buzz Quiz to discover what you’re like and what you can do
Remember sometimes being successful is not just about earning a high salary, but also to do with being happy in your job role. This can lead to you feeling inspired and motivated to carry on, which in turns opens up new career opportunities. Whichever path you decide to take, both can be rewarding and lead to successful careers.