Apprenticeships

What’s an apprenticeship?

There are a lot of myths regarding apprenticeships. Lots of people think they are only for trades like builder, joiner, mechanic.

Most people don’t realise that an apprenticeship can lead to a degree – and in some companies, your degree paying for by your employer (tuition fees are currently around £9000 per year for University).

Apprenticeship Levels

TRAINEESHIP
✓ No formal qualifications. This would be an option if you didn’t get any grades 9-4/5. Once you complete a traineeship, you can move onto an intermediate apprenticeship.
INTERMEDIATE APPRENTICESHIP
✓ Level two / once you’ve finished, it will be equivalent to 5 GCSE’s grades 9 – 4/5. This can lead onto an advanced apprenticeship. You would do this level if you didn’t get at least 3 GCSEs at grades 9- 4/5.
ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP
✓ Level three / once you’ve finished, it will be equivalent to 2 A Levels.
You would do this level if you did get 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4/5 including English and Maths.
HIGHER APPRENTICESHIP
✓ Level 4-5 / equivalent to HNC, HND, Foundation Degree
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP
✓ Level 6-7 / equivalent to Degree, Masters Degree

What next?
If you are interested in an Apprenticeship then you need to get prepared. Apprenticeships aren’t the easy option. You need to:

Find the apprenticeship;
Write a good C.V and job application;
Prepare for interview
Attend the interview and be successful (you will be competing for the same post with other people)
Also back up this plan with college and other training provider applications.

How can school help:

Make an appointment to see Tracey Chapman (Tuesday or Thursday) –she is the careers advisor and will be able to help you best.
Get yourself ready with a professional C.V and practice for interview. See Tracey Chapman again if you need help with this.
Make sure Tracey and Miss Lord know that you are looking for an apprenticeship. They get in lots of adverts from employers looking for apprentices so if you are on their list, they can let you know.