The Ultimate Guide to Apprenticeships, School Leaver Programmes & Sponsored Degrees 2015-16 by AllAboutGroup

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ULTIMATE GUIDE to APPRENTICESHIPS, SCHOOL LEAVER PROGRAMMES & SPONSORED DEGREES

Sponsored degrees

School leaver programmes

If you want to go to university but are daunted by the cost, sponsored degree programmes might be just the ticket. Sponsored degrees come in all shapes and sizes. For example, there are ones where you’ll attend university part-time whilst working for a company that pays your tuition fees.

If you want to leap straight into the world of work but still want to gain some serious qualifications, then a school leaver programme might be the thing for you. These schemes usually involve studying for a degree or professional qualification, while working for a company. As an employee, you’ll get a wage and the company covers your training costs. That means you can earn while you learn and avoid student debt.

Other sponsored degrees allow school leavers to study a course full-time at university, which has been devised by a consortium of employers or a single company in conjunction with the host institution. On the plus side, sponsored degrees can offer you some much needed financial assistance to help fund your way through university. Particularly for those with work experience as part of the programme, they can help you build up a relationship with an employer and enhance your employment prospects after university. Seems like a no brainer then? Well, sponsored degrees aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. They suffer from a lack of choice, only being available at a small number of universities and covering a limited range of degree courses and career paths.

University It’s the traditional route and still a very good one. Degrees are not to be sniffed at and can be the ticket to some great career options. If you’re set on going to university, you’ll need to do plenty of research into the degree courses and universities on offer, finding one that tallies with your interests and career plans. Tuition fees might seem like a lot, but there is plenty of financial support out there in the form of loans, bursaries and grants that you can take advantage of. The long university holidays can be used to build up work experience, or you can opt for a sandwich degree course that involves a year spent working in industry. Degrees are great if you want to keep your career options open, access certain careers that are only open to graduates, or if you simply want to study a subject that you are passionate about. On average, graduates tend to get higher starting salaries and earn more over their lifetime. However, university isn’t for everyone; some want to get stuck straight into work or are put off by the cost of a degree. There are options where people are paid to work for a company while gaining a degree at the same time.

Gap years You don’t have to dive straight into university or permanent employment. If you’re a bit bewildered about your options, or just fancy some breathing space, a gap year might be right for you. It’s not just a year to kick back and do nothing, though; you won’t really impress many people doing that. Most people work for a bit and then go travelling. Many large companies have gap year programmes for those wishing to get in a solid year of work experience. Alternatively, you might want to volunteer in the UK or abroad, or use your time off to get plenty of work experience. This may even help you figure out which careers might interest you. The key thing, if you do decide to do a gap year, is to make sure you do something worthwhile. Some universities and employers won’t look favourably on gap years where you’ve just spent your entire time in the clubs of South America. Try and make sure you’ve included some more valuable experiences in your gap year, as well as partying.

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School leaver programmes are designed to offer a genuine alternative to university. Entry onto a scheme can be very competitive. The big finance and accountancy firms dominate the school leaver programme market at the moment, but other opportunities can be found in industries like engineering, IT, retail, digital media and hospitality.

Higher Apprenticeships There is something else you can do with those A-levels, and that’s a Higher Apprenticeship. These are the crème de la crème of apprenticeships. Higher Apprenticeships bear many similarities to school leaver programmes (in fact, many school leaver programmes include a Higher Apprenticeship as part of their training programme) but tend to be shorter. You can also get qualifications like foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and undergraduate degrees as part of a Higher Apprenticeship. Apprentices can usually top up their qualifications after the apprenticeship too. Of course, some people bypass all of these options and plunge straight into employment. It’s up to you to have a good think, do some research and work out the best option for you. Don’t just think about the short term. Try and imagine where you want to be in five or ten years, and figure out the best way to get there. Deciding what to do after A-levels is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, so choose wisely!

What can I do with my GCSEs? Deciding what to do after your GCSEs can be a huge dilemma. You might think that A-levels are your only choice, or that your poor

Academic qualifications One of the most obvious routes after GCSEs is to do A-levels. They are the most traditional route to university and take two years to complete. Some colleges and schools don’t offer A-levels, instead choosing to put their students through their paces with the International Baccalaureate or the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, which are often regarded as being more “academically challenging”.

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A-levels can be hard work, so if your GCSE grades aren’t up to scratch, it might be worth looking at other less traditional qualifications that are more suited to your learning style. Most colleges or sixth forms require A-level students to have a minimum of five GCSEs grade A*-C and at least a B in the subject they wish to continue studying at A-level; although there are exceptions to this rule.

home it’s that there are

Vocational qualifications

plenty of options out there

If you don’t get the grades to continue on to A-levels or fancy doing something a little more vocational, then there are plenty of other qualifications you can look into. NVQs and BTECs are all work-related qualifications that offer an alternative to A-levels.

GCSE results mean you can’t continue with further education. If there’s one

and, regardless of what you get in your GCSEs, you can still continue to learn and gain qualifications.

BTECs have been around for a while. BTEC Nationals are a Level 3 qualification recommended for those who have achieved at least four A*-C grades in their GCSEs. They are a great option if you want to study something that focuses on workplace skills. They’re also ideal if you prefer to be assessed through coursework rather than exams. If BTECs don’t quite float your boat and you want to learn how to do practical, workrelated tasks, then an NVQ might be the answer. NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification and it’s a competence-based qualification. You might do one as part of an apprenticeship, alongside a part-time job or at college in tandem with completing a work placement. You can do NVQs in areas such as health and social care, manufacturing, catering and business administration.

Advanced Apprenticeships Advanced Apprenticeships are great if you want to start working after your GCSEs and gain some work-related qualifications. You work for an employer and earn a salary whilst receiving on-the-job and offthe-job training. Advanced Apprenticeships usually last between one and four years. After the apprenticeship ends many employers offer their apprentices a full-time job with the company, or you can look to gain employment with another company or progress to a Higher Apprenticeship. In most cases, you’ll need at least five GCSEs (grades A* to C) to be eligible for an

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Advanced Apprenticeship. If you don’t have those grades, you can look into doing an Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Intermediate Apprenticeships Intermediate Apprenticeships are the lowest and most popular level of apprenticeships in the UK. These apprenticeships are another great option if you want to start working straight after finishing your GCSEs. You’ll combine on-the-job training with classroom-based learning and will be paid a wage for the work you do with your employer; all of which will lead to a nationally recognised workrelated qualification. Employers will typically ask for two or more GCSE grades (A*-C) or equivalent. If you don’t have GCSEs in English and maths, though, you’ll usually be required to take a basic numeracy and literacy test.

Retake your GCSEs If you didn’t get good grades in English and maths at GCSE (i.e. below a grade C), you might want to think about retaking them. It might feel like you are going backwards, but for many jobs and qualifications these GCSEs are particularly important. In any case, some vocational qualifications and apprenticeships will require you to either retake these GCSEs or reach a certain level of literacy and numeracy as part of the course. Even if you decide to go straight into work, you can gain qualifications alongside fulltime employment. Qualifications might just seem like bits of paper, but they can really help you get where you want to be. So keep an open mind and make sure you look into all of the different options.

Traineeships Traineeships focus on improving basics like English and maths, and securing the work experience needed to secure an apprenticeship or employment: perfect for people who didn’t get the GCSE grades required for the next stage - for example, an apprenticeship - but who want to move into the world of work. A traineeship is an education and training programme with work experience, preparing young people for their future careers by helping them to become ‘work ready’. They last anything up to a maximum of six months, with the content tailored to the needs of the business and the individual. Employers are not required to pay trainees for the work placement and traineeships are exempt from the Minimum Wage. However, young people taking part in traineeships will be undertaking education and training and some may qualify for financial support.

What is...? What is an apprenticeship? If you think being an apprentice will involve living in a house with a bunch of arrogant, expensive-suit-wearing entrepreneurs

What skills & qualifications do I need?

before being fired by Alan Sugar, you might want to think again. An apprenticeship is a paid period of training that allows you to learn a particular skill or set of skills. Usually lasting between one and four years, it’s a great way to learn while you earn and pick up some valuable workplace skills.

What are my options? Apprenticeships aren’t just for those interested in construction or engineering, they can be undertaken in a huge number of different sectors and industries, from agriculture, law and accountancy to education, retail and design. Apprentices can find themselves working for a whole range of employers, from the big household names to smaller local companies. In the case of apprenticeships, one size certainly doesn’t fit all. Not only do all manner of training providers and companies offer them, but there are also three different levels: Intermediate Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships.

What is a traineeship? A traineeship is an education and training programme with work experience, preparing young people for their future careers by helping them to become ‘work ready’. Designed for people aged 16 -24 who don’t yet have the appropriate skills or experience, traineeships provide the essential work

preparation training, English, maths and work experience needed to secure an apprenticeship or employment. A traineeship has three core elements: - A high-quality work experience placement with an employer - Work preparation training, provided by the training organisation

- English and maths support, if required, provided by the training organisation. Traineeships last anything up to a maximum of six months with the content tailored to the needs of the business and the individual. Employers are not required to pay trainees for the work placement and traineeships are exempt from

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The usual method of entry is through a standard application and offer process, i.e. candidates apply for a specific position and successful candidates are offered an apprenticeship. In exchange for working as an employee on an apprentice’s wage, you will be trained to learn a new skill. The beauty of an apprenticeship is that nobody expects you to be a genius at everything. They are there to help you develop your skills and knowledge. However, there is a basic standard of literary and numeracy that is required. If you don’t have GCSEs then you will need to take a literacy and numeracy test. If that’s going to be a problem, the National Apprenticeship Service runs an Access to Apprenticeships scheme for those who need to brush up on their skills before applying for apprenticeships. Entry requirements will vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Some will need you to have a handful of GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, whilst the very top apprenticeships might ask for A-levels (or equivalent).

the Minimum Wage. Young people taking part in traineeships will be undertaking education and training and some may qualify for financial support. The government is encouraging employers to provide trainees with financial support to meet their travel or meal costs, but not all employers will comply.

What is a Higher Apprenticeship? Higher Apprenticeships are the newest kids on the block. Launched How much will I get paid? As an apprentice you’re guaranteed at least £3.30 per hour, though it’s not uncommon to be earning in the region of £150 to £260 per week. That means you can expect a salary range of between £4,940 and £14,000, and sometimes more. The amount you get paid will depend on the level of skill you possess and the industry you choose for your apprenticeship. Over time your skill set will improve and so will your wages. Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, hopefully you’ll have the skills and qualifications to enter better paid roles.

What level of commitment will I need to have? All in all, an apprenticeship is kind of like doing one to four years’ worth of practical lessons, where you will also get paid. However, if you muck about, you will lose your job and your chance to progress. You will have to work hard to succeed, but once you have completed your apprenticeship you will be equipped with a great new skill-set, a clear path for progression and fantastic career prospects.

in 2009, this level of apprenticeship might be baby-faced, but it certainly packs a punch. The clue is in the name: it’s the only type of apprenticeship that leads to a Level 4 or above qualification, which is the equivalent of a higher education qualification.

So what is it then? A Higher Apprenticeship functions pretty much like a normal apprenticeship in the sense that it will provide you with a mix of on and offthe-job training. However, these apprenticeships are designed to equip you with more advanced skills and qualifications. In some cases, they offer another route to gaining a university qualification. It’s a really unique chance to earn while you learn.

What are the entry requirements? It’s a serious apprenticeship and, as a result, those doing this level of apprenticeship are usually aged 18 or over. Entry requirements will vary, but usually people who have already done an Advanced Apprenticeship or who have a minimum of two A-levels will be eligible for a Higher Apprenticeship. If you don’t have those, employers might take into account previous work experience or other criteria instead.

Because it’s the crème de la crème of apprenticeships, there are fewer Higher Apprenticeships. However, more and more companies and organisations are offering them, particularly as students start to get put off by the high cost of university.

Will I get paid? Of course you will. If you’re under 19, you’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices, which is currently £3.30 an hour. The minimum wage for 18-20 year olds is £5.30 per hour, for people over 20 it is £6.70. However, many employers will pay Higher Apprentices more than the National Minimum Wage. As Higher Apprenticeships are a step above Advanced and Intermediate Apprenticeships, you’re likely get paid a little bit more than other apprentices.

What qualifications will I get? The high entry requirements reflect the nature of the qualifications offered by this apprenticeship, qualifications such as Level 4 (or above) Competence Qualifications, Functional Skills and knowledgebased ones such as a foundation degree, HND, or undergraduate degree. In the near future, some Higher Apprenticeships will offer apprentices the chance to gain a master’s degree. You might then be able to top up your university qualification to a full undergraduate degree or pursue a master’s degree, or a relevant professional qualification.

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What qualifications will I gain? Advanced Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to earn while you learn. They involve work-based learning, such as a Level 3 Competence Qualification, Functional Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledgebased qualification.

What is an Advanced Apprenticeship? An Advanced Apprenticeship is a step above Intermediate Apprenticeships. It’s a chance to access great training, develop skills and gain qualifications whilst working for an employer. Advanced Apprenticeships generally last between one and four years, although they can be longer. A huge variety of employers offer Advanced Apprenticeships. Companies might run their apprenticeships in partnership with training providers (like a further education

What are my options? Generally, to be eligible to do an Advanced Apprenticeship you must have either completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship or have a certain number of GCSEs (or equivalent) although this isn’t always the case. If you need to improve your skills, such as literacy and numeracy, there’s an Access to Apprenticeships scheme run by the National Apprenticeship Service that will help you out. Most employers offering Advanced Apprenticeships, however, will be looking for candidates with at least five GCSEs grades A*-C.

college), meaning apprentices split their time between working at the company and attending college, or the companies run apprenticeships independently and have their own in-house training sessions.

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To put it simply, completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is the equivalent of gaining two A-level passes. You’ll also gain relevant technical certificates or qualifications (depending on your type of apprenticeship). Once you’ve completed an Advanced Apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible to do a Higher Apprenticeship.

Will I get paid? This is one of the best bits: you’ll get paid during your apprenticeship. Ok, so you won’t be rolling around in £50 notes, but apprentices, on average, earn between £150 and £190 a week. Most employers tend to pay more than the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices (£3.30 an hour) and, after the first year of the apprenticeship, people who are aged 19 and over must get paid the full National Minimum Wage for their age group. The reality is: the more experience you get, the higher your pay will be. As your apprenticeship training progresses, so will your pay.

What qualifications will I gain?

What is an Intermediate Apprenticeship? Intermediate Apprenticeships are the first level of apprenticeships. They are designed to equip you with the skills to thrive in the world of employment. On an Intermediate Apprenticeship, you’ll spend most of the time working for an employer and learning on-the-job, but you’ll also spend some time at a training institution or local college. During the apprenticeship, you’ll study towards vocational qualifications which are relevant to your job. You can do Intermediate Apprenticeships in all sorts of areas and industries with all

What qualifications will I need? Employers might ask for two or more GCSEs (grades A*-C), or equivalent. For some Intermediate Apprenticeships, however, you might not need any formal qualifications. If you don’t have GCSEs in English and maths, though, you’ll usually be required to take a basic numeracy and literacy test. As part of the Intermediate Apprenticeship, you’ll then either take a GSCE qualification in English or a Functional or Key Skills qualification at either Level 1 or Level 2. If you don’t quite meet the entry requirements, the National Apprenticeship Service runs an Access to Apprenticeships pathway.

types of companies. From an Intermediate Apprenticeship, you might go on to do an Advanced Apprenticeship or secure a related job.

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One of the best things about an Intermediate Apprenticeship is that you’ll have a bunch of qualifications by the end of it if you work hard. These will include a Level 2 Competence qualification, a Functional Skills qualification and a relevant knowledgebased qualification. The Level 2 qualification will usually be an NVQ at Level 2, which is equivalent to five GCSEs (grades A*-C). You might also work towards a BTEC, GCSE, or City & Guilds qualification. Once you’ve completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible to move onto an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Will I get paid? Yes. It might not be a professional footballer’s wage, but all apprentices, by law, are required to be paid. The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £3.30 an hour, but many employers pay their apprentices more than that.

What is a school leaver programme? School leaver programmes aren’t as easy to define as apprenticeships and will vary from company to company and industry to industry. Some employers have retitled their Higher Apprenticeships as ‘School Leaver Programmes’; others have veered away from the whole apprenticeship structure completely. We’ve put our heads together to pin down exactly what a school leaver programme is and give you a little bit more information about what to expect.

Give me the lowdown School leaver programmes are having a bit of a moment. Since university fees have gone up, more and more companies are offering school leaver programmes for A-level (or equivalent) students who don’t fancy shelling out for university. They tend to be offered by large companies in industries like accountancy, finance, engineering, retail, IT and hospitality. Employers offer training programmes that give A-level students or career changers the chance to work towards a university degree and/or professional qualification. Most companies will sponsor or part-sponsor your education and, in return, you might work full-time or part-time for them. That’s one of the best bits of school leaver programmes: you receive education and training whilst working for a company and earning a decent wage.

professional qualification. A few will combine them both, offering trainees the chance to obtain a degree and a postgraduate professional qualification. It’s your choice: you can opt for a school leaver programme where you’ll get a degree as part of the scheme, or bypass university altogether and aim for a professional qualification.

How long do school leaver programmes last? School leaver programmes tend to be lengthier than the average apprenticeship. Most school leaver programmes can last anywhere between three and seven years. It might seem like a long haul, but that’s the time you’ll need to gain some serious qualifications. The years are usually broken down into stages. For example, students might spend one year at university, before working full-time for the company for the next two years, or they might work at the company and study for a degree or professional qualification on a part-time or distance learning basis.

What qualifications will I gain? As school leaver programmes aim to provide a genuine alternative for students who would have otherwise gone to university, employers put plenty of emphasis on the kind of qualifications you might gain whilst on the programme. Some programmes are centred on attaining a bachelor’s degree or foundation degree, while others might focus on the achievement of a

Am I eligible for a school leaver programme? You’ll need a PhD, a 5,000 metre swimming certificate and biceps made of steel. No, not really! The whole point of a school leaver programme is that employers don’t expect you to be an expert in

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the industry already. However, since they are positioned as the more ‘elite’ school leaver option, opportunities can be tough to come by and competition can be fierce. Most companies will usually specify a minimum number of UCAS points or a minimum number of A-levels in their entry requirements. This could be anything from requiring two A-level passes to asking for a whopping 320 UCAS points. Entry requirements will vary from company to company, but overall they will be looking for bright, young, ambitious candidates with an interest in their industry, who are keen to leap straight into the world of work.

What’s the difference between a school leaver programme & a sponsored degree programme? There’s plenty of crossover between the two, with some school leaver programmes more akin to sponsored degrees and some sponsored degree programmes more like school leaver programmes. Take a look at our ‘What is a Sponsored Degree?’ article to get the lowdown on the different types of sponsored degrees and how they compare to school leaver programmes.

What is a sponsored degree?

Student sponsorship

Employers call their school leaver programmes all sorts, from training programmes and undergraduate apprenticeships to sponsored degree programmes. In this article, we’ll tackle the meaty subject of sponsored degree programmes. We’ve broadly divided them up into sponsored degree programmes, sponsored degrees and student sponsorship. They might not seem that different, but, boy, they are.

Sponsored degree programmes Sponsored degree programmes are school leaver schemes that focus on the fact that you’ll get a degree as part of the programme. As well as studying for a degree at university, students are often regarded as permanent employees of the company and receive a salary. The schemes are often devised with a particular university, meaning that the student will have little say in what university or course they do. However, more often than not, they’ll have their entire course fees paid for by the employer or at least receive a bursary or scholarship to go towards the cost of their university education. Students might attend university on a part-time or distance learning basis (e.g. one day a week) while working for the employer, or they might go to university full-time, spending their holidays working for the company. The employer might also offer students a guaranteed job on qualification or, subject to performance, a place on their graduate scheme. The balance of time you’ll spend at university and in the workplace will vary from scheme to scheme, so make sure you check.

Sponsored degrees Other universities will provide degrees that are sponsored and devised with a consortium of employers and/or professional associations. These are more common in industries like engineering and accountancy, usually for more vocational degrees. For the consortium sponsored degrees, students might be sponsored wholly or partially (e.g. £1,000 for each year) and might take an industrial placement or a summer placement with an employer in the consortium. Alternatively, a degree might be devised with and sponsored by a single employer (sometimes in tandem with a professional association). For these degrees, the employer involvement is likely to be more comprehensive. For example, students on a sponsored scheme might receive a bursary and have a yearlong placement and two summer placements with the employer. Depending on academic and placement performance, they might also get a spot on the graduate scheme or a job with the company upon graduation.

Still with us? There’s yet another type. Some companies will offer sponsorship either to a small number of students on a degree course in the form of a scholarship or they will sponsor a promising student irrespective of their degree course and university; although, of course, they might target students on particular courses. Students have also been known to approach companies before they attend university in the hope of some form of sponsorship. This is probably the most informal sponsorship programme of them all. The employer might cover a student’s fees for part of their university education or give a one-off amount to the student. In return, students might take up a summer placement with the company, work there after university or they might actually have no particular obligations towards the company at all. Alternatively, some companies will sponsor students who stand out during their internships or placements, offering to cover their last year or two years at university and giving them a place on the graduate scheme or fast-tracking their application to the interview stage. So there you have it. There are many different types of sponsored degree opportunities. It’s up to you to work out the best option for you.

Students on these types of degree aren’t permanent employees and won’t earn a salary, apart from during their placement year or summer internship. However, it’s an excellent way of guaranteeing experience as part of your degree and helps you to fund your university education.

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COMPARE &CONSIDER ALLABOUTSCHOOLLEAVERS PRESENTS

UNIVERSITY VS

SCHOOL LEAVER PROGRAMME WEIGHT

9,000 POUNDS (£)

HEIGHT

1,524 CENTIMETRES

A.K.A THE VETERAN *** THE FANS’ FAVOURITE *** THE TEENAGE DREAMIA FROM ACADEMIA

WEIGHT

POUNDS (£)

HEIGHT

8,979 CENTIMETRES

A.K.A THE CHALLENGER *** THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK *** HE FLOATS LIKE A COMPANY ON THE STOCK MARKET AND STINGS LIKE A BEE

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE In each round of this epic battle, School Leaver Programmes will go head-to-head with University as we assess both options for school leavers against various important criteria. Hopefully, when the final bell rings, you will have a good idea about which is the best option for you. Ding ding… come out swinging! 28

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ROUND

At the end of Round Two:

The money Unless your parents are billionaires and you’ve got money to burn, you’re probably worried about how much university is going to cost. And rightly so! With the recent increase in tuition fees, and the money you’ll spend on food, clothes, travel, books, stationary and partying thrown into the mix, it is predicted that students starting university will now, on average, be £53,400 in debt upon graduation. That’s more than double the amount of debt that students who started in 2011 will have to deal with (£26,100).* Blimey!

This contest is really hotting up now! And it looks like University is starting to pull it back.

ROUND

If you do a school leaver programme, however, you will get a degree or professional qualification without having to pay any expensive tuition fees. Amazing!

The career ladder If you go to university, you will have a great time, develop a lot of skills and learn about an interesting subject; however, you will also delay your entry into the world of work by three, or maybe even four, years. If you join a school leaver programme, however, you will start your ascent of the career ladder much earlier. You will develop skills and learn about your industry, but you will simultaneously gain incredibly valuable on-the-job experience and establish yourself within the organisation much earlier.

Admittedly, not all companies will foot the entire bill for your tuition fees, but you will at least get a sizeable chunk paid for as part of a scholarship. Your student debt will therefore be either non-existent or very small in comparison to that of the average university graduate.

By the end of your school leaver programme, you will most likely have the same level of education as the graduate trainees who join the firm, but you will have an advantage over them in terms of experience. This may be beneficial when it comes to progressing up the career ladder.

What’s more, the majority of companies that offer school leaver programmes pay their school leavers a pretty sweet salary. Some school leavers can earn over £22,000 a year!

At the end of Round Three: At the end of Round One: There are a few broken teeth and bloody noses out there now as School Leaver Programmes begin to step it up a notch.

As the contenders take a welcome break to drink some water and readjust their mouth guards, it looks like School Leaver Programmes have an early advantage.

ROUND ROUND

The fun factor Going to university isn’t just about getting a degree; it’s also about enjoying the whole university experience. University is about having fun, meeting new people, doing things you’ve never done before and taking advantage of your long university holidays to see the world and gain new experiences. If you’re thinking about doing a school leaver programme, it’s probably worth considering that, as a university student, you will probably only have between six and 18 hours of lectures a week. If you join a school leaver programme where you’ll be working full-time, you might have fun, but you will work at least seven hours a day, if not more. You’ll have a lot less time to socialise and you won’t have the same lengthy holidays. Even if you do a school leaver programme which involves going to university every day during term time, you will still be required to work at the company during the holidays. That means you can kiss goodbye to that InterRailing trip around eastern Europe you had planned for the summer after your first year of university!

The options You may have heard the phrase “the agony of choice” before, but most of the time it’s much better to have a range of options to choose from. If you decide to apply to university, you will have the luxury of choosing from hundreds of universities and thousands of courses. School leaver programmes, however, are fairly restrictive when it comes to choosing courses and universities. Indeed, most school leaver programmes only allow trainees a choice of two or three universities. Furthermore, you will be required to study a vocational degree which is relevant to your school leaver programme. If you fancy studying art history, for instance, you won’t get the chance to do so as part of a school leaver programme. What’s more, since school leaver programmes are fairly new, these schemes are only available in a small number of sectors at the moment, such as accounting, finance, retail, engineering and construction. The number of school leaver programmes in the UK is therefore quite low and, as a result, competition for places can be fierce.

At the end of Round Four: Where did this come from? University has got a second wind and has mounted an epic comeback.

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ROUND

The professional qualifications

Although school leaver programmes may not give you the same level of choice when it comes to picking a course, the majority of them give young people the opportunity to obtain highly respected professional qualifications (sometimes in addition to university degrees). This allows faster career progression and really enhances the earning potential of school leavers.

At the end of Round Five: School Leaver Programmes are ducking and diving. They’ve raised their game and have really got University on the ropes now.

The commitment If you plan to join a school leaver programme, it’s important to remember that you will be committing to your employer for quite a long time, sometimes even five or six years. That’s quite a big leap for someone who is fresh out of school or college. What’s more, once the company has invested time and money in your education and development, you might feel a sense of obligation to stay in the industry and stick with the same employer. This option may give you job security, but it may not give you the same amount of freedom. If you go to university, however, you will have much more flexibility. You can change your mind, try things out and explore different options. You can even change your degree partway through if you’re not enjoying it and fancy something else. Once you graduate you have no ties; you can go travelling, you can do a bunch of internships with different companies (if you can afford to put off getting a full-time job), and you can really think about your options before committing to a particular career path or employer.

At the end of Round Six: It’s a dead heat. The judges are divided. There is nothing between these two valiant contenders. It’s really up to you to decide what is most important to you and your future! * www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14488312

MATCH TWO

UNIVERSITY VS

APPRENTICESHIP 30

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University is great. It can open up a world of possibilities, allow you to explore a subject you’re passionate about and give you access to a whole range of careers. Apprenticeships, however, give you the chance to head straight into work, while picking up qualifications and receiving a wage.

So how do you choose between the two? Ok, let’s do a little myth-busting and sweep those cobwebs of misconception away: choosing the apprenticeship route doesn’t mean that you are turning your back on a university education. Apprentices can still go to university and study for higher qualifications. A Higher Apprenticeship, for instance, allows you to gain a Level 4 or above qualification, e.g. a foundation degree, HND, HNC or undergraduate degree. After the apprenticeship, things like foundation degrees, HND and HNCs can be topped up to a full honours bachelor’s degree. Neither are apprenticeships solely for those who ‘don’t have the grades’ to go to university. There are some challenging apprenticeship schemes out there, with tough application processes and fierce competition for places. They can provide a genuine alternative to university for those who want to go straight into work. Even if you get top grades, you shouldn’t feel obliged to go to university; many companies are looking to recruit bright school leavers eager to head straight into the world of work.

It’s not that one is better than the other; you just need to figure out which route is the most suited to you. That’s why we’d hesitate to make grand sweeping claims about how apprenticeships are better than university or vice versa. What we can do is help you weigh up your choices.

by completing an Advanced or Higher Apprenticeship scheme. For example, BDO runs a school leaver programme where the first two years are a Higher Apprenticeship, and after that the trainees study for the ACA. It takes five years in total to reach Chartered Accountant status, while it might take a graduate six years.

Money matters Money will be another huge point to consider. The boon of an apprenticeship is that the cost of your training is covered by the employer and you are paid while you learn. The much publicised downside to university is the cost: the tuition fees can be hefty and you also have to factor in living costs. There is plenty of financial support in the form of loans, grants and bursaries from the government to help you cover the cost of university, so everybody, no matter what your financial circumstances, should be able to afford university. However, the fact that you’ll be earning a wage while receiving training and earning qualifications as an apprentice is a huge advantage.

Furthermore, if the apprenticeship does involve a higher education qualification, you probably won’t get much choice when it comes to choosing a university or course. Also, there’s the issue of missing out on the full university experience. Everyone always mentions the social side of university, but you’ll also miss out on the experience of devoting yourself to full-time academic study for three years. University can be an unrivalled experience, so it’s not something to dismiss lightly.

What’s the hurry?

The disadvantages of apprenticeships

If you’re doing A-levels, there’s nothing stopping you applying to universities and apprenticeship schemes simultaneously. This means you don’t have to narrow down your options straight away; it will give you a bit of breathing space so you can make your decision. Through the application process, you’ll be able to find out more about the different universities and companies, and get a better sense of what the university course or apprenticeship will involve. This will help you decide which route you want to pursue.

Of course, you’ll also need to weigh up the disadvantages of doing an apprenticeship over going to university. There might be many types of apprenticeship, but not all career paths and industries are covered. Just as university isn’t for everyone,

Remember, it’s your choice, so don’t feel pressured to go down a particular route because that what’s everyone is telling you to do. Take the time to do your research, talk to people who’ve done an apprenticeship and those who have been to university, and consider your own personal motivations.

Think about your career aspirations In all likelihood, your choice will be dictated by your career aspirations. There are still certain careers that you can only really access via a degree. For example, there is no apprenticeship scheme for doctors. If you want to become a doctor, you’ll have to do a medicine course at university. However, in other occupations, you’ll get the same chances as graduates

apprenticeships aren’t for everyone. If you don’t have a clear idea of what career you want to enter, studying a traditional subject at university can help you keep your career options open while gaining a qualification.

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MATCH THREE

APPRENTICESHIP VS

SCHOOL LEAVER PROGRAMME Both apprenticeships and school leaver programmes have similar aims: to equip you with the qualifications and training to thrive in your chosen profession. There’s plenty of crossover between the two, with some school leaver programmes even incorporating an apprenticeship into their programme. Some school leaver programmes are pretty much identical to certain apprenticeships and vice versa, but for the sake of this article, we’re going to speak in more general terms. You should be aware that there are always exceptions, quite simply 32

because there’s a huge range of apprenticeships and school leaver programmes out there. Generally speaking, school leaver programmes are traditionally offered by larger companies. They are often positioned as a genuine alternative to university, a kind of high school graduate scheme. They tend to be longer than most apprenticeships and trainees on these schemes often aim for high level qualifications, such as honours degrees and graduate-level professional qualifications. Of all the different levels of apprenticeships,

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the Higher Apprenticeship is most similar to school leaver programmes, offering a higher level of training. Like school leaver programmes, apprenticeships offer more vocational, hands-on training, i.e. you learn by doing the job. Training Apprenticeships and school leaver programmes are similar in that they both involve working for a company whilst gaining a qualification. They both combine on-the-job and off-thejob training, but the nature of the training might vary between the two. For example, in an apprenticeship you might spend one day at college and four days working for the company, or be sent to a training centre on block release. For some school leaver programmes, you might attend university for a year, before returning to work full-time for the company and finishing your qualification through distance learning. There tends to be more variation in the structure of school leaver programmes than apprenticeships, as they don’t follow a national framework. Consequently, you’ll have to make sure you check out what each school leaver programme will entail. You might find the training offered by certain apprenticeships better suits your needs than school leaver programmes, or vice versa.

Qualifications You should also think about what sort of qualification you are aiming for. School leaver programmes tend to offer higher level qualifications, such as degrees and professional qualifications. Intermediate Apprenticeships are the equivalent of five GCSEs (grades A*-C) and Advanced Apprenticeships are the equivalent of two A-level passes. Higher Apprenticeships are closer to school leaver programmes and many include the completion of a higher qualification, such as a degree, foundation degree or HND as part of the apprenticeship. There are also plans afoot to introduce Higher Apprenticeship frameworks that go right up to Level 7. You might, however, find the qualifications offered by an Advanced Apprenticeship tally better with your career aims than those offered

Accredited apprenticeships follow a national framework that sets out the structure of the training and the qualifications earned. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between school leaver programmes and apprenticeships…

by a school leaver programme. You should check out the kind of qualifications offered by particular apprenticeships and school leaver programmes, looking at how well they are respected in the industry and how they can aid your career progression. That might sound a bit serious and heavy, but qualifications really do matter. You want to make sure that you choose the scheme that offers you the right sort of qualification.

Entry requirements Entry requirements can differ between school leaver programmes and apprenticeships. School leaver programmes can have quite demanding entry requirements, such as a certain number of UCAS points or high A-level grades. For apprenticeships, entry requirements do vary more, with Intermediate Apprenticeship schemes only asking for a handful of GCSEs. Most Advanced Apprenticeships look for candidates with five GCSEs (grades A*-C) and Higher Apprenticeships usually require a minimum of two A-levels. Many apprentice employers also take other criteria or qualifications into account, such as relevant work experience. So if you want to leave school after GCSEs, apprenticeships will be your best option.

Variety Apprenticeships are more commonplace than school leaver programmes and they can be found in a more diverse range of industries, from horticulture, law and aviation to hairdressing, business administration and youth work. Lack of variety is where school leaver programmes suffer. At the moment, school leaver programmes tend to be found at the large companies in industries such as banking and finance, retail and hospitality. It’s great if you want to work for a big company in those kinds of areas, but not so great if you’re interested in a different kind of career.

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Salary It might be a bit un-British to mention money, but there can be a difference in the levels of pay commanded by apprentices and people on school leaver programmes. Apprentices are subject to the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices, which currently stands at £3.30 an hour. Before you shake your head in disgust, many employers choose to pay far more than that. The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is for under 18-year-olds on an apprenticeship and those aged 19 and above in their first year of their apprenticeship. After that, you’ll be entitled to the full National Minimum Wage for your age group. In contrast, if you aren’t on an apprenticeship programme and haven’t signed a contract of apprenticeship, you’ll be entitled to the National Minimum Wage for your age group. In addition, as school leaver programmes have high entry requirements and tend to be offered by the big companies, they can offer trainees pretty sizeable salaries. For example, the National Audit Office starts its lucky trainees on around £22,000 a year. Otherwise, school leavers might receive between £10,000 and £15,000 a year. They might, however, have their university tuition fees covered by the company. This is not to say that all apprentices aren’t paid well. For example, salary levels for the National Grid’s Advanced Apprenticeship Programme starts at £14,950 a year, rising to £23,715 a year when you complete the apprenticeship. Not bad, eh? In truth, it’s not the case that one is better than the other. Take a look at the kind of opportunities there are in the career you’re interested in and work out which one is best for you. You might find school leaver programmes offer you the best career opportunities or that apprenticeships offer the kind of qualifications and training you want. It’s your choice!

The pros & cons of a sponsored degree

Here we consider the pros and cons of sponsored degrees:

Going to university the traditional way isn’t your only option. With the recent rise in university tuition fees, a new breed of sponsored degree programmes are springing up. These offer a fantastic mix of subsidised university education and the chance to gain some heavy duty work experience with an industry leader. But are

PROS

CONS

If you’re interested in the degree subject, the employer behind the programme and the careers related to the degree, then a sponsored degree programme can be an excellent way of kickstarting your career while gaining a university degree.

they the best option for you?

2 Sponsored degree programmes help keep down university costs. Students on sponsored degrees might receive bursaries or scholarships to help fund their studies. Some lucky people will have all of their tuition fees paid for, meaning they can kiss hefty student debts goodbye. Better still, some students on sponsored degrees are permanent employees of the company and will earn an annual salary. Jealous much?

3 Access to some top drawer work experience. Those on sponsored degrees might get the chance to work for the company during the university holidays, do an industrial placement, or work full-time and study for the degree part-time. That means they can get some serious work experience in the bag.

4 Sponsored degree programmes attached to a single employer might offer a guaranteed job on graduation, or a place in a graduate scheme subject to performance. Adieu, graduate unemployment!

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There is limited choice: sponsored degree programmes are only available for a small number of degree subjects and only offered by a small number of employers. You’ll need to have a genuine interest in the degree, the company and the industry behind the degree. After all, it’s unlikely that you’ll be studying a ‘traditional’ subject, like maths, English or medicine. What’s more, most sponsored degrees can only be done at specific universities, so you’ll have a narrow choice of universities to pick from.

2 You might not get the full ‘university experience’, both from a socialising and studying perspective. Some programmes require their trainees to only attend university on a part-time or distance learning basis.

3 Depending on the programme, you might have to enter into a contract with an employer. They might stump up the cash for your tuition costs, but, in return, you could be expected to spend your university holidays working for the company. Some degrees also come with the condition that the students spend three years after university working for the employer. Some might see this as a perk; others might value more flexibility and freedom.

The pros & cons of a school leaver programme Found in sectors like finance, accountancy and engineering, school leaver programmes are designed to offer A-level students a genuine alternative to university. But is a school leaver programme the right thing for you?

Let’s have a look at the major advantages and the disadvantages of doing a school leaver programme.

PROS

1 Leap straight into the world of work. Instead of delaying it for three years while you get a degree, a school leaver programme combines work with education and professional training.

2 Avoid student debts. As part of the school leaver programme, your education and training will be subsidised by the employer. You can wave goodbye to student debt. Even better, you’ll receive a salary. Sure, it might not be a huge amount, but you’ll likely earn more than those on Advanced Apprenticeship programmes. For school leaver programmes with large employers, school leavers have been known to earn over £22,000 a year. Boom!

3 Most school leaver programmes are designed to be a genuine alternative to university. Some of the most competitive programmes have entry standards to rival most Russell Group universities, testament to the nature of the experience. Equally, there are school leaver programmes that only require two A-level passes and are more interested in students with a desire to leap headfirst into work and pick up vocational skills. School leaver programmes welcome students from all backgrounds; part of their purpose is to offer an alternative for those who feel they can’t afford university.

4 You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice education and qualifications. Most programmes involve participants studying for a degree or a professional qualification. For example, some of the accountancy school leaver programmes give their trainees the chance to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. For some, you won’t have to forego a university education, as many programmes have a degree built into them. Others have a mix of the two, where you can gain a degree and study for professional qualifications.

CONS

1 If you want to achieve an undergraduate degree, it might be a more indirect route. Your choice of degree and university will also be limited. For example, degrees that are part of school leaver programmes will be directly related to the career path and will most likely be vocational. You won’t find many traditional degrees as part of a school leaver programme.

2 At the moment, school leaver programmes are only limited to a select few industries. Most school leaver programmes can be found in the engineering and finance industries, as well as manufacturing, retail, hospitality, media and construction, amongst others. While they might present an excellent option if you want to pursue a career in those sectors, they might not be suitable for other careers. Certain jobs will still only be open to graduates.

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Even if obtaining a degree is part of the school leaver programme, you might have to forego the university experience. Some programmes will only involve one year full-time at university, or you’ll have to study for your degree part-time or through distance learning. So if you’re hankering after the full-on student experience, a school leaver programme won’t be your best option.

There are currently only a small number of school leaver programmes. Consequently, competition for places, particularly for the ones with the big employers, can be intense. There might be more places on their schemes for university graduates.

In short, school leaver programmes aren’t for everyone. They are a fantastic option for those who don’t fancy university and want to start their career straight after their A-levels. However, they do come with limitations and you might find that university provides you with a better option.

Explore industries Advertising, Marketing & PR Art & Design Thinking about the advertising, marketing

When you imagine an artist or designer at

and PR industry often conjures up images

work, you might be picturing somebody

of hip, young people sitting around in

indulging in their hobby and not actually

stylish offices, stroking their beards,

doing any ‘real’ work. The artist is sitting

drinking coffee and ‘bouncing’ creative ideas

on a mountainside painting, or catapulting

around the office. Alternatively, the popular

multi-coloured paint at a huge canvas. The

image of PR executives involves going to

designer is swinging from side-to-side on

fancy business lunches, attending press

their office chair and playing around on

conferences and appearing on celebrity

Photoshop, cropping images and deciding

gossip TV shows. Careers in advertising,

which colour to use for the background of

marketing and PR are genuinely fast-paced

a website.

and exciting, but the stereotypes and misconceptions are by no means always accurate! The general objective of each different area of this industry is to develop and enhance public interest in a brand, organisation, person or product. Everywhere we go, we interact with advertising initiatives, marketing strategies and PR campaigns; when we read an advert on the train, when we decide to buy a laptop, or when we discuss celebrities with our friends. The industry is not completely dependent on creativity. True, creativity is important but the industry would not be able to function without essential research, planning, and strategy. People who work in advertising, marketing and PR are usually highly organised, energetic and have excellent communication skills.

Sure, working in art and design might seem like a wonderfully idyllic and relaxed career choice, but it may shock you to know that these career paths are actually a lot of hard work. Careers in art and design are all about creating things which are appealing to the eye. Art is traditionally created purely for its aesthetic appeal, whilst design tends to revolve around a product. You might even say that design is art with a function. The two different areas may seem worlds apart in their purpose, but the people who work in art and design all tend to have an essential mix of practical skills, creative flair and a talent for using colour, space, shape and form. Working independently as a freelancer is common, but many artists and designers don’t actually work entirely on their own. When working as part of an art collective or for a design agency, it is essential to develop excellent communication and teamwork skills.

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Starting salary?

Positives?

Starting salary?

Positives?

£16,000 - £25,000

• Intellectual stimulation • Opportunities for creativity • Varied working day

£10,500 - £22,000

• Freedom • Opportunities for creativity

£40,000 - £100,000+

Negatives?

£25,000 - £80,000+

Average working hours?

• Highly competitive • Starting salary often low

Average working hours?

Potential earnings?

9am - 6pm, plus possible extra evening/weekend hours.

Potential earnings?

Mostly flexible. Some salaried designers may work from 9am to 5pm.

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Negatives? • Lack of job security • Potentially low pay

Banking, Finance & Accountancy

Charity, Not-for-Profit & NGO

The banking, finance and accountancy sector often brings to mind images of dynamic men and women pacing the floors of the London Stock Exchange, surveying the markets and waiting for the right opportunity to pounce: “Buy, buy, buy! Sell, sell, sell!” You might think of men in bowler hats trudging across London’s Millennium Bridge at the crack of dawn. Alternatively, you might be picturing an accountant stuck away in a dark, cramped office, surrounded by receipts and punching endless numbers into a ridiculously large calculator. Well to be honest, that’s not entirely correct. It’s true, financial careers are all about money. The world revolves around money. We talk about it, we spend it, we earn it, we lose it and we touch it every day. The world would not be able to function without money. Consequently, some of the most important jobs in the world are in the banking, finance and accountancy sector. Each and every financial company deals with very large sums of money and quite often the money under their control does not necessarily belong to them. It belongs to an individual or another organisation. Effectively, everyone’s financial fates are in the hands of the different organisations we trust with our cash. Understandably then, banking, finance, and accountancy firms have a lot of power, and in return they shoulder a whole lot of responsibility. Careers in this sector can be extremely exciting, rewarding and satisfying, but at the same time they can be incredibly high-pressure and stressful. This is something that is often reflected in the high salaries that characterise the industry.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£15,000 - £50,000

• Huge potential earnings • Opportunities for working abroad • Lots of responsibility

Potential earnings? £40,000 - £225,000+

Average working hours? Often long and unsociable, especially in high pressure roles.

You might imagine the only way to do charity work is to shake a bucket of coins outside a train station, or try to stop people in the street with a rain-soaked smile and a clipboard full of hope. Alternatively, you may think that the only people who actually work permanently in this sector are Bob Geldof, Pudsey the Bear and Bono. Well, don’t believe a word of it, because it’s just not true. You can work permanently for a charity, NGO, or not-for-profit organisation. You might even get paid an actual salary! Charitable organisations come in various shapes and sizes. They can lead you in a million and one different directions, and put you in front of some of life’s greatest challenges. They can also be unrivalled in terms of job satisfaction. You can travel the world or stay put; work hands on or take on a role behind the scenes. What we’re really trying to say is that careers in this sector can be pretty versatile. They can be exciting and allow you to potentially change people’s lives, while still living your own. What more could you want? Virtually anything you can think of will be involved with a charity in one way or another. Depending on where your passion lies, you could turn your hand to a number of different sectors: working with animals, raising money for cancer or helping environmental charities. You could work with the elderly, people with disabilities, the homeless, at a hospice or within sport and arts charities. Depending on the role you choose, you’ll need excellent oral or written communication skills - sometimes even both! You’ll also need to be personable and be able to adapt to various different needs and disabilities.

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Starting salary?

Positives?

£10,500 - £24,000

• Challenging • The opportunity to make a difference • Opportunities for travel

Potential earnings? £23,000 - £60,000+

Average working hours?

Negatives? • Highly competitive • High pressure • Long working hours

9am - 5pm if you’re office based. International and UK-based support work roles may have slightly more irregular hours.

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Negatives? • Can be emotionally challenging • Stressful • Relatively low potential earnings

Culture, Music & Performing Arts

Energy & Utilities

Careers in the world of culture, music

people who work in the energy and utilities

and performing arts are all about fame,

industry are all like Homer Simpson, Lenny,

fortune and failure, right? Hmm, maybe

Carl and Mr Burns. You might think that to

not. You may think that working in the

work in this industry you will be required to

music industry is all about stage diving and

work at a huge power station in the middle

massive wonky bass lines. You may think

of nowhere, or on an oil rig in the North

that careers in performing arts are all about

Sea. You may also believe that you will be

red carpets and on-screen kisses. You may

risking life and limb every day, either in a

think that a career in ‘culture’ is all about

mine which may collapse, or inside a huge

sitting in silence in stuffy art galleries or

dam which may burst at any point in one

arranging dinosaur bones in a museum.

big watery explosion. However, it may shock

Sure, your career could take one of these

you to know that a career in this sector is

routes, but it’s pretty unlikely.

not all about eating donuts and putting

If television has taught us anything, it’s that

Every industry which might be considered ‘cultural’ (i.e. music, theatre, film, museums etc.) needs a dedicated range of professionals who work hard to help us stay entertained, excited and educated. Every time we clap our hands together at the end of a play, we are not only applauding the actors and actresses, but the entire team of theatre workers, from the director and the ushers, to the set designers and the orchestra in the pit. Every time we listen to our new favourite band on Spotify, we are not only listening to the blood, sweat and tears of the band, but the work of the record label who discovered them and the producer who recorded the album. Every time we marvel at a dinosaur’s skeleton in the Natural History Museum, we are enjoying the work of everyone who added to our learning experience, from museum’s curator to the person working in the gift shop who sells us a rubber shaped like a velociraptor. From a distance, careers in culture, music and performing arts can often seem like a one man show, where the performer is the be-all and endall. However, behind the scenes it is quite a different story. The culture, music and performing arts industry is rife with exciting opportunities both offstage, as well as in the spotlight - the possibilities are truly endless.

yourself in danger. It’s all about oil, gas, coal, petroleum, solar power, wind farms and everything else which provides the UK with energy. It’s also all about managing our water, sewage systems and waste disposal. Without energy and utilities, the modern world would not be able to keep moving or stay switched on. All day, every day, we rely on the hard work of people in the energy and utilities sector - when we flush the toilet, when we put petrol in our cars, and when we open the fridge and that little light magically comes on. With increasing environmental concerns across the world, the energy and utilities sector is becoming one of the most innovative and adaptable sectors. There has been a rise in the development of renewable energy resources, such as solar panels, hydroelectric dams and biomass fuel. However, even the major oil and petroleum companies are beginning to develop fuels which are more environmentally friendly. A huge range of different career paths are available within the energy and utilities sector, ranging from technical and engineering roles to managerial and sales positions. Every single role requires energetic people to help provide the UK with all the energy and water it needs.

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Starting salary?

Positives?

Starting salary?

Positives?

£14,000 - £20,000

• The opportunity to be creative • Intellectual freedom

£17,000 - £45,000

• High potential earnings and starting salary • Challenging

Potential earnings? £20,000 - £500,000+

Average working hours? Unsociable and irregular

Negatives? • Highly competitive • Lack of job security

Potential earnings? £30,000 - £120,000+

Negatives?

Average working hours?

• Locations can be lonely • Manual labour can be tiring

9am - 5pm, or shift-based.

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Environment, Agriculture & Conservation You may have heard that careers in the environment, agriculture and conservation

Engineering

sector are all about living the good life. You

You may have heard that engineering is

live a peaceful existence and work on your

a man’s world. Furthermore, you may have

own terms, eating your own crops, talking

heard that the world of engineering is full

to your animals and strolling through your

of men who have all the technical skills in

cornfields in the summer time. Alternatively,

the world, but no social skills to match. In

you may have heard that environmental,

many people’s minds, an engineering career

agriculture and conservation careers are

is a constant love affair between a man and

all about protesting, living in tree houses or

his machines.

repairing coral reefs with your bare hands.

Wait a second, though! Is it really all about nuts and bolts, spanners and screwdrivers? Definitely not. And do women actually work in engineering? Of course they do! Forget anything you’ve heard previously! Engineering is all about solving problems using specialist technical and practical skills. It’s all about maths, science, research, prototypes, design, maintenance and production. Every industry and every area of society depends on the precise and efficient work of engineers. These guys provide technological solutions to the problems, issues and ideas that affect every area of our lives. They design, manufacture and maintain almost everything people and industries use, from computers, spacecraft and boats to corkscrews, buildings and chemical reactors. Technological advances would never happen without engineers. Consequently, the people who work in this sector are massively important in developing the future of our society. There are so many different areas of engineering to work in; however, most engineers choose to specialise in just one, such as chemical, mechanical, automotive or robotics.

Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s all about sustaining, protecting and using our natural environment. The environment and agriculture have become especially hot topics in recent years. You’ve probably heard the phrases ‘global warming’ and ‘buy British’ more times than you can count. Growing environmental concerns and a desire to revive the British agricultural industry have sparked reaction from the government and the public. Consequently, an increasing number of careers in these industries are becoming available. Environmental policies, initiatives and activities have a major influence on the quality of all our lives. The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat is all dependent on the important work of people in environmental careers. Understandably, careers in agriculture also have a huge impact on the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the flowers that decorate our homes, the pharmaceutical products we consume and even the fuels we are beginning to use. There are many different careers within this sector, ranging from practical roles, such as farmers, gamekeepers and tree surgeons, to roles focused on environmental policy, education and corporate social responsibility.

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Starting salary?

Positives?

£18,000 - £35,000

£30,000 - £90,000+

• High potential earnings and starting salary • Satisfaction in solving practical and technical problems • Challenging

Average working hours?

Negatives?

Average working hours?

9am - 5pm. In some areas of engineering, the work can be shift-based, which may mean irregular hours.

• Stressful • Pressure to meet deadlines

Varied, often dependent on seasonal changes.

Potential earnings?

Starting salary?

Positives?

£11,000 - £30,000

• Satisfaction in helping to sustain the planet • Working outdoors • Challenging combination of scientific and practical work

Potential earnings? £20,000 - £70,000+

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Negatives? • Working outside in all weathers • Potentially low starting salary

Hospitality & Tourism You may have heard that a career in

Health & Social Care

hospitality and tourism is like constantly

True or false? The only way to work in

being on holiday. You hang out in hotels,

health and social care is to be a nurse,

bars and restaurants all day, doing a bit of

doctor, dentist or social worker.

work here and there, or you jet off around the world and help other people have a

Answer: False.

good time while topping up your suntan.

Careers in health and social care are all about helping people. Careers in healthcare are all about helping people who are having problems with their physical health. Careers in social care are concerned with helping vulnerable people in the community and providing them with support so that they can benefit from a much more improved way of life. Everybody is dependent on the specialist skills of healthcare professionals at some point (even if it’s only when they’re born). Not everybody becomes directly involved with social care initiatives. However, everyone is likely to encounter the many social issues that require the hard work of social care professionals. Careers in health and social care are some of the most important in the world. These employees not only help people on an individual basis, but make a difference to society as a whole. Understandably, the key word to consider when contemplating a career in this sector is ‘care’. People who work in this sector truly care about helping other people. Without that level of concern and desire to make a difference, it is impossible to be a superstar of the health and social care world. In order to thrive in these careers, you need to have the ability to build relationships with patients and service users. It is essential that people trust you and therefore patience, friendliness and fantastic communication skills are needed. These careers are some of the most rewarding you can pursue, but can also be the most challenging emotionally. You certainly need to be genuinely compassionate and caring, but you need to be thick-skinned too.

Starting salary?

Positives?

£14,500 - £35,000

• Immense satisfaction in saving and improving people’s lives • Senior level positions can pay very well • Varied and unpredictable working day

£23,000 - £175,000+

Average working hours? Many roles in this sector have irregular, unsociable hours due to shift patterns.

job in hospitality and tourism is always a stopgap. It’s just something you do in the holidays to earn a bit of extra cash. Well, if that’s what you think, then we’re here to tell you that you’re wrong. It’s all about food, accommodation and drinks. It’s all about tourists, travelling, attractions and customer service. Basically, hospitality and tourism is all about helping people enjoy themselves when they’re out and about. We encounter the people who work in hospitality and tourism all the time: when we go out for a drink, when we grab a bite to eat, or when we go on a luxurious round-the-world trip, staying in five-star hotels and flying business class (just for the record: we never do this, but you get the point!). Our social lives and free time just wouldn’t be the same without the hardworking people who dedicate their working lives to this sector. The main thing to know about careers in hospitality and tourism is that it’s never going to be your typical nine-to-five job. The people who work in this sector really take one for the team and work when other people are having fun.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Potential earnings?

Alternatively, you may have heard that a

Negatives? • Stressful and emotionally draining • Long and irregular hours • Some roles take years of training before qualification

Jobs in hospitality and tourism are all about providing friendly, efficient and attentive customer service. Consequently, excellent communication skills, patience and a friendly nature are essential for you to thrive in these industries.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£12,000 - £30,000

• Opportunity to meet different people • Fast-paced working environments • Opportunities for travel

Potential earnings? £20,000 - £100,000+

Average working hours? Certainly NOT nine-tofive. Expect irregular and unsociable hours.

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Negatives? • Low potential salaries • Unsociable working hours • Can be tiring and stressful

IT & Technology You may have heard that you have to be an absolute computer geek to work in the IT and technology sector. You’ve probably heard that your entire day will be spent typing out endless codes of technical gobbledygook or taking computers apart and blowing out the dust. You might have even heard that your working life will basically just include playing video games. Well, that’s not entirely true It’s all about computers, the internet, laptops, telephones and mobile phones. They call this the digital age and that’s for one good reason: computers rule the world (well, not literally). IT and technological products are absolutely everywhere. They’re in our homes, in our offices and in our pockets. Advances in computer and telecoms systems have improved opportunities for national and international communication, allowing businesses to start, grow and expand. The right IT solutions can revive a company, solve its problems and allow the organisation to push on bigger, better and stronger. One of the most exciting things about IT careers is that they offer employees continuous opportunities for learning. As technologies advance, there are always more things to learn and new skills to acquire. IT jobs aren’t all about inputting the right data, using the right codes or putting the right bits of hardware in the right places. In fact, some IT employees have a certain amount of creativity in their jobs, especially software developers, web designers and information security consultants.

Law When you hear the word ‘law’, it may conjure up movie scenes of intense court room battles, white-haired men writing wills, or judges wearing ridiculous robes and tatty wigs. Actually, law is a fabulously varied sector that has a profound impact on every part of our lives. Besides solicitors, barristers and judges, there is a massive array of other lawyer and non-lawyer career paths you can explore within this sector, from legal journalists, legal secretaries, typists, human resources personnel, paralegals and legal executives to solicitor advocates, coroners, lecturers and court clerks. Getting into law is pretty tough. Law is an extremely popular career choice and for lots of good reasons: it’s stimulating, it can be fluid and constantly changing, it’s complex, and it can be lucrative. There’s a lot of scope for career progression. You could end up sitting in the Supreme Court, or you may progress from a novice paralegal position to become an associate solicitor. Careers in the legal sector are well-paid, well-respected and exciting. The rewards can be great, but the hours can be long and it requires many years of sustained effort to get where you want to be.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£12,000 - £33,000

• Challenging and fast- moving • Constant opportunities for learning and development • Working at the cutting edge, influencing the future

Potential earnings? £28,000 - £90,000+

Average working hours? 9am - 6pm, plus possible evening/weekend hours. People in technical support roles may work shifts.

Starting salary?

Positives?

£16,500 - £45,000

• Intellectual stimulation • Varied working day • High salaries

Potential earnings? £40,000 - £1,000,000+

Negatives?

Average working hours?

• Highly competitive • Long hours • Stressful

8.30am - 7pm, plus extra evening/weekend hours.

Negatives? • Highly competitive • Pressure to meet deadlines • Can be repetitive

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Manufacturing & Production You might have heard that careers in manufacturing and production are all about making boxes, packing boxes and moving

Management Consulting & Business You might have heard that careers in management consulting and business are all about bossing people around, telling them what to do and how to do it. Well, to be honest, that’s not entirely true. In order to operate effectively, every single company needs direction, organisation, strategy and innovation. Every company wants to grow, develop and contend with its competitors. Consequently, managers, administration staff and management consultants are all required to make sure things are done right. Careers in management consultancy and business span every single area of work. These types of professionals are needed in all kinds of organisations, from hospitals and banks to television companies and toy manufacturers. Different approaches to management and business administration are more effective in different situations. For instance, do you use ‘the carrot’ or ‘the stick’? Generally though, people who work in these fields will have an excellent mix of logic, strategic thinking, organisational skills and communication abilities.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£12,000 - £35,000

• Intellectual stimulation • High level of responsibility • Global opportunities

Potential earnings? £30,000 - £125,000+

Average working hours? 9am - 5pm, plus extra evening/weekend hours.

boxes. Alternatively, you might have heard that a job in a factory requires you to put cherries on cupcakes all day, every day. Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s all about factories. Since the Industrial Revolution manufacturing has basically been about making and producing goods in large quantities. However, it’s not just conveyor belts and hair nets – manufacturing and production involves conducting research, testing, developing prototypes, engineering and maintenance. Without factories, companies would not be able to produce their goods quickly enough or in the volumes that they require. All humans will consume, use, drive, or wipe their behinds with mass produced goods at some point in their day-to-day lives. Manufacturing can be based around handmade crafts and high-tech production; although they work on different scales, both are essentially forms of industrial production in which raw materials or chemicals are turned into finished products. Careers in this sector range from manual labour and operational jobs to highly-technical and managerial positions.

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Starting salary?

Positives?

£11,000 - £25,000

• Satisfaction in producing tangible, useful products • Opportunity to work as part of a team

Potential earnings? £30,000 - £65,000+

Average working hours?

Negatives? • Highly competitive • Pressure to meet deadlines • Stressful

Work is frequently on a shift basis, so you may be required to work irregular and unsociable hours.

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Negatives? • Work can be repetitive and monotonous • Low starting salary and potential earnings

Medicine & Medical Sciences Media

You might have heard that careers in

You may think that a career in the media will mean you will be presenting the news, having your own radio show, or writing for Vogue. You may have heard that you need to have a perfectly crafted haircut, a distinctive regional accent and a personal stylist to work in this exciting world of celebrities and glossy magazines.

Malcolm X famously once said that “the media is the most powerful entity on earth.” In many ways, he was right: from television, film and radio, to what we see on the internet, media is everywhere, and it can entertain as much as it can influence. As you can probably imagine, working in the media is fast-paced and extremely competitive. If you can handle the pressures thrown at you, it can be a very exciting way to make a living. What’s more, there are literally thousands of different roles you can explore. So whether you’re looking to get your face (or voice) out there, or you want to get involved in the technical or production sides of things, there are very few limits to the amount of opportunities available in the media sector. Employers in media look for a wide range of people with different technical and personal skills. Generally, you’re going to need to be confident, enthusiastic, versatile and willing to go the extra mile to get projects finished.

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Positives?

£12,000 - £25,000

• Fast-paced and exciting • Opportunity to be creative • Small possibility of fame and fortune

Average working hours? Often long, irregular and unsociable. May include evening and weekend work.

think that if you work in this sector you will constantly be plagued by sounds like: “beep, beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeeeeeep,” and “nee naa nee naa nee naa.” You may have heard that you’ll constantly be extracting people’s teeth and drilling holes in people’s that you’ll be developing ground-breaking cures for different diseases every week. Sure, your career in medicine and medical sciences could include some of these things at some point, but certainly not all the time. This sector is all about helping people who are having problems with their physical health. It’s all about saving lives and improving lives. It’s all about treatments, cures, medicine and drugs, and about research, innovation and breakthroughs. Everybody is dependent on the specialist skills of medical staff, dentists and medical scientists at some point in their lives: if we break a bone, if we need an operation, if we have an accident, when we go for a dental checkup, even when we take a paracetamol. It may seem obvious, but without doctors, nurses and medical science experts, people would physically not be able to survive. Some careers require a greater amount of medical, technical and scientific knowledge. Understandably, doctors, surgeons, dentists, pharmacologists and medical research scientists need to be absolute experts in their specialist field, so those who pursue these careers need to have an excellent academic background. However, many other career options exist in medicine, medical sciences and research, which simply need people with specialist practical or care skills, such as nurses, technical healthcare assistants and laboratory assistants.

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Starting salary?

£22,000 - £100,000+

playing doctors and nurses. You might

jaws. Alternatively, you might have heard

Sure, your career could take one of these routes, but it’s pretty unlikely really. You don’t have to be Alexa Chung, Nick Grimshaw or A.A. Gill to work in this industry.

Potential earnings?

medicine and medical sciences are all about

Negatives? • Highly competitive. • Quite low starting salaries. • Constant pressure to meet deadlines.

Starting salary?

Positives?

£14,500 - £35,000

• Immense satisfaction in saving and improving people’s lives • Varied and unpredictable working day

Potential earnings? £23,000 - £175,000+

Average working hours? Many roles have irregular and unsociable hours due to shift patterns.

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Negatives? • Stressful and emotionally draining • Long and irregular hours

Property, Construction & Architecture You might have heard that careers in

Public Sector & Defence

construction are all about regular tea

You might have heard that public sector and

breaks and getting a suntan in the summer.

defence careers involve jeering or sneering

You might have also heard that careers in

in parliament. You might have heard that

architecture involve sitting around in stylish

working for the government involves

offices, building models of skyscrapers out

drinking martinis, romancing international

of ice lolly sticks and chewing gum. Well I

beauties and bamboozling Russian spies

hate to disappoint you, but you’re way off

with your sharp wit and your big gun. Or

the mark.

maybe you’ve heard that careers in the

It’s all about buildings. Well, it’s really all about the entire built environment. Without the essential work of architects, builders, painters, plasterers, surveyors, plumbers and electricians, we would have nowhere to live, nowhere to work, nowhere to watch sporting or music events, and no bridges to cross. Basically, civilisation would not have happened. It’s safe to say that our lives wouldn’t be the same without the hard work of the people that work in this industry. Careers in property, construction and architecture cover a wide range of specialist activities, from architectural design and the planning of building projects to the active construction of properties and the restoration, regeneration and maintenance of existing buildings. Each construction project has a concrete end to it (excuse the pun), and thus the successful design, planning and construction of a building can provide its employees with an immense feeling of satisfaction. Understandably, many jobs in the construction and maintenance industry require specialist practical skills. All in all though, everyone involved in property, construction, and architecture must have excellent organisational skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

public sector involve lots of paperwork, office work, meetings and greetings. To be honest, you’ve probably heard a lot about public sector and defence careers; some of it might be true and some of it might be false. Public sector and defence careers are all about working for the government. So many different careers are available within this huge area of work, including: police officers, members of the armed forces, civil servants, nurses, and many more. Everything we do is influenced in some way by the people who work in public sector and defence: when we take out the recycling, when we pay tax, when we show our passport at the airport or when we drive down a road, someone’s hard work is pushing it all along smoothly. Careers within this sector can be pursued within a broad range of organisations, with central government offices, local councils, the NHS, and executive governmental agencies to name just a few.

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Starting salary?

Positives?

£12,000 - £27,000

• Satisfaction in creating something tangible and permanent • Opportunities for creativity and problem- solving • Opportunity to run your own business

Potential earnings? £32,000 - £85,000+

Average working hours? 9am - 6pm, plus possible extra evening/weekend hours.

Negatives? • Working in all weathers • Some roles can be dangerous • Some roles can be relatively low paid at entry level

Starting salary?

Positives?

£16,000 - £27,000

£21,000 - £100,000+

• Fantastic training • Job security • Have a direct impact on the safety and prosperity of every member of society

Average working hours?

Negatives?

9am - 5pm. However, many roles, e.g. police officer, have irregular hours.

• Pressure to meet deadlines • Some roles are highly dangerous

Potential earnings?

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Recruitment & Human Resources

Retail & Sales

This industry is all about people. No

bit repetitive and just involve relentlessly

company is run entirely by robots (in fact,

stacking shelves, folding clothes or scanning

some companies don’t even use robots

barcodes. You might think that people

at all… shocking!), and the one thing all

who work in sales are just dodgy second-

businesses need is people. Recruitment and

hand car salesmen with bizarrely coloured

human resources staff hire the right people,

suits, drenched in the overwhelming smell

retain the right people and develop them

of cologne. Well to be honest, that’s not

throughout their careers.

entirely true.

When we get paid, when we get a job offer, when we go on a training scheme, when we have a telephone interview, and even when we retire and start living off our pension, it’s all down to the people who work in recruitment and human resources. Without these people, the complex world of work would not be able to function.

Have you ever thought about what really goes into running a shop or a sales business? Who decides what goes in the window displays? Who decides to put the shoes downstairs and the jeans upstairs? Who decides what to sell? How do they make things look so shiny and exciting? Where does all the stock come from? Every time you buy something, your experience is subconsciously affected by the decisions that have been made by the many different people working in retail and sales careers.

Recruitment consultant roles are actually similar to a lot of sales jobs. Yet, rather than selling cleaning products or cars, they are selling people to employers. Luck can play a factor, but the best recruitment consultants make their own luck through hard work and mental agility, by networking and building relationships. A recruitment consultant’s life is driven by targets, and they can potentially make a lot of money from lucrative commission and bonus schemes. Human resources is such a broad area of work. Some HR professionals take the general route and do a bit of everything, whilst others even get to make the decisions on how a company’s employment structure should be organised or changed. Some HR guys organise the hiring of new staff and help to train and develop talented employees throughout their career, whereas other members of the HR team use their social, emotional and psychological skills to help improve and maintain the quality of an employee’s working life.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£14,000 - £37,000

£40,000 - £100,000+

• High earning potential • Fast-paced, exciting and dynamic working environment • Opportunity to meet new people every day

Average working hours?

Negatives?

9am - 6pm, plus possible extra evening/weekend hours.

• Constant deadlines, targets and pressure • Repetitive responsibilities

Potential earnings?

You might think that careers in retail are a

Pretty much anything can be bought and sold. Not just tangible products like clothes, cars, houses and cleaning products, but things like advertising space and information. Careers in retail and sales are not only about selling and making money; they are all about providing excellent customer service. People don’t enjoy buying things because they like handing over their hard earned cash. They do it because they enjoy the whole experience: the casual banter with the person at the till, the enthusiastic discussion with an estate agent about the amount of space in a new house, and the haggling involved in getting a really, really good deal. Charm is king in retail and sales careers! Therefore, the main things you will need are excellent communication and customer service skills.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£12,000 - £35,000

• Interaction with lots of different people • Fast-paced, exciting, busy • Not an average office job

Potential earnings? £25,000 - £100,000+

Average working hours? Often long hours, which may include evening and weekend work.

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Negatives? • Can be repetitive. • Sales targets mean high pressure • Relatively low basic starting salary

Sport & Recreation You might think that the only way to work in sport and recreation is to be a professional

Science

footballer, tennis player, dancer or poker

You might have heard that all scientific

star. Basically, you love your sport, but

careers involve working in silence in

you’re not Lionel Messi, Darcy Bussell,

laboratories, whilst you inject things into

Rafael Nadal or Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow,

petri dishes, peer through microscopes and

and therefore you’re never going to be able

check the acidity of various liquids. Sure,

to work in this exciting industry.

lab work is common in scientific jobs, but these careers are definitely not routine, boring and pointless. In fact, these careers are some of the most varied, important and challenging jobs in the world. It’s all about innovation, discovery and research. It’s all about trying things, doing experiments and making exhilarating scientific breakthroughs. It’s all about doing things that nobody else has ever done before. It’s all about improving people’s lives, improving commercial enterprises and developing our knowledge and understanding of people, nature, the world and the universe. The phrase “the sky’s the limit” doesn’t even apply to careers in science. Much like the universe, careers in scientific research and development are literally limitless; new things can always be discovered and things can always be improved.

Alternatively, you might think that the only other way to realistically get a job in sport and recreation is to be a P.E. teacher, work in a leisure centre, or be the coach of a Sunday league football team. Well, that’s simply not the case. Every single area of sport and recreation requires a wealth of behind-thescenes staff, including coaches, physical trainers, medical staff, sports agents and referees. You could even plan and manage sports events or dive headfirst into sports broadcasting or journalism. Since the London 2012 Olympics, the UK’s interest in sport has been rejuvenated and more job opportunities are becoming available. There has also been a major boost in the popularity of gaming and gambling (especially online poker), and consequently there has been a noticeable growth in the amount of jobs available in this industry. Many different skills are needed for the many different kinds of sport and recreation careers, but the one thing you really need is a true sporting passion. If you really want to work in this sector, you will need to be able to demonstrate your enthusiasm.

Jobs in this sector stretch across so many different fascinating areas. If you thought that the differences between chemistry, physics, biology and maths were complex enough, then you’re in for a shock. Thousands of specialisms exist, from astrophysics and marine biology to zoological sciences and pharmacology.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

To follow a scientific career path you are going to have to be highly intelligent, logical, ambitious and, most importantly, passionate about your chosen subject.

£12,000 - £30,000

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

£35,000 - £100,000+ Professional athletes can earn well in excess of this amount.

• Combine your work and your passion • Opportunity to keep yourself fit and healthy • Varied working day

Starting salary?

Positives?

£14,000 - £28,000

• Intellectual stimulation • Opportunity to make exciting breakthroughs that can change the world. • High potential earnings

Potential earnings? £35,000 - £100,000+

Average working hours? Variable. Some roles may require irregular hours.

Potential earnings?

Average working hours? Can be irregular and unsociable.

Negatives? • Pressure to meet deadlines • Can be stressful

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Negatives? • Highly competitive • Potentially short career span

Teaching & Education

Transport & Logistics

You may think that careers in teaching

You might have heard that a career in

and education are pretty easy; you teach

transport is a wonderfully free and relaxing

a few kids some basic stuff, you scribble

way of life, where your responsibilities

on people’s essays in bright red pen, write

simply include sleeping in service stations,

some cryptic school reports and then take

and getting one (just one) very sunburnt

ridiculously long holidays for most of the

arm as you drive a gargantuan truck around

year. Well, to be honest, that’s not true.

Europe. You may also have heard that a

Careers in teaching and education are arguably the most important in the world. It’s all about helping people to learn, develop and acquire knowledge, information and skills.

career in logistics involves getting lost inside a warehouse every single day.

Many of the careers in teaching and education involve actively teaching people. However, it may interest you to know that an abundance of careers are available in this sector, which don’t actually involve working in a classroom or lecture theatre.

Well, don’t worry. You’re not going to find yourself dazed and confused in an endless maze of crates and pallets, and you’re not necessarily going to live your entire life inside a small truck cab. How come? Because there are so many different career options in this exciting industry!

If you want to work in teaching and education, you also don’t necessarily have to teach children or young people. Adults also want, and often need, to be educated.

It’s all about moving things, storing things and supplying things. And when we say ‘things’, we mean anything and everything, from people and animals to goods and services. Without the transport and logistics industry, we wouldn’t be able to get to work in the morning, or fly away on holiday, and international trade would certainly not be ‘inter-national’ anymore. Plus, you would never wake up to find a birthday card being stuffed through your letterbox.

An educator’s job is very challenging. You really need to be able to engage and connect with the people you are teaching. Confidence, charisma, enthusiasm, communication skills and patience are all essential. You will also need to have detailed knowledge of the specific subject you are planning to teach. After all, it’s difficult to teach someone about something you don’t understand yourself.

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£13,000 - £28,000

• Intellectual stimulation • Immense satisfaction from inspiring, educating and helping students • Large holiday allowance

Potential earnings? £33,000 - £90,000+

Average working hours? 8.30am - 5pm, plus possible extra evening/weekend hours.

Negatives? • Can be stressful and tiring • Salaries for most teachers are capped - only senior management professionals get the high salaries

Every person and every industry in the world is influenced by, and depends upon, transport and logistics. Consequently, there are so many diverse careers available in this exciting, fast-paced and ever-changing sector, from transport planning and supply chain management to transport engineering and freight forwarding. Loads of different skills are needed for the many different kinds of transport and logistics careers, but the one thing you really need is an interest in being part of an industry that makes the world go round (or makes things go round the world?!).

Explore this industry more at MyCareerSpringboard.org

Starting salary?

Positives?

£12,000 - £48,000

• Challenging • Opportunities for travel • Decent potential earnings

Potential earnings? £25,000 - £135,000+

Negatives?

Average working hours?

• Can be stressful • Long and irregular hours are common

Many people work shift patterns, so hours may be irregular and unsociable.

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Essential Info

When does my apprenticeship training start?

Apprenticeship training: what to expect

There’s no national starting date as apprenticeships are available all year round. Of course, when you start the work-based part of your training the start date will depend on your employer.

The thing about apprenticeships is that they aren’t just about getting a job. Their main purpose is to make sure you receive the training and get the skills to be a hit in the world of work. It’s a bit like Batman (wait, bear with us). Without your apprenticeship training and qualifications, you are like Christian Bale in pyjamas. Still deadly, but add the suit, the Batmobile and all the gadgets and you’re contending with a whole different person. Add apprenticeship training to your armoury and you’re well on the way to being a (yes, we’re going to say it) superhero of the job world. So what will apprenticeship training consist of? Unfortunately, there’ll probably be no push-ups, combat training and martial arts, but you will study towards qualifications whilst working for a company. That means you’ll be splitting your time between work and college, so you can get the best of both worlds.

How long will it last?

What qualifications will I gain with an apprenticeship? The qualifications you’ll get will vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship. However, all apprenticeships aim to provide you with a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or another equivalent qualification. If you complete the apprenticeship, you’ll be the proud owner of a Key Skills qualification and a technical certificate too. Not quite as impressive as owning a Batmobile – but who cares?

Tell me more Let’s delve a little more into the anatomy of an apprenticeship. It’s a structured programme and it is required to have the following elements: a knowledge-based element, a competence-based element, transferable or ‘key skills’, and a module on employment rights and responsibilities. Don’t groan! You won’t be spending all of your time in a classroom.

Apprenticeship training can last between one and four years. Most of the training will be on-the-job, so you’ll be working at least 30 hours a week for the employer. You’ll spend the rest of your training at a local college or training provider. Your training time will be split between your employer and training provider. You might spend two days a week at college and three days in the office or workshop. Alternatively, you might only go to college once a fortnight (or maybe even less). Some employers use a ‘block training’ approach, concentrating the required off-the-job training into weekly or fortnightly slots across the year.

How much does apprenticeship training cost? Here’s the good bit: if you’re under 24, your apprenticeship training will be funded by the government. That means no tuition fees and no debt. On top of that, you’ll be paid by the employer. The current National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £3.30 an hour. However, most employers tend to pay more.

The whole point of an apprenticeship is that you’ll get to experience life beyond college and get thrown into some real work situations. On-the-job, you’ll pick up relevant technical skills, gain an understanding of the industry, and acquire the competencies needed to perform your duties to the required standard. All apprenticeships aim to give you a basic set of ‘key skills’ too, such as communication, numeracy, problem solving and teamwork.

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School leaver programme training: what to expect If you’re accepted onto a school leaver programme, you’ll earn a handsome wage, you’ll dodge the bullet of student debt, and you’ll get your foot on the career ladder earlier than your friends who go to university. More importantly, though, you will receive world-class training, which will equip you with the skills to really thrive in your career. You might have natural ability, determination and an unrelenting desire to succeed, but the training you receive as a school leaver will really make a difference. Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale all had natural talent when they got their first break in football, but the work they’ve done on the training ground with their football clubs is what’s helped them develop into true superstars. It’s the same deal with school leaver programmes. Training is of paramount importance.

Induction period

Studying

Joining a large company straight from sixth form can be a daunting prospect. Fortunately though, most companies won’t drop you straight in at the deep end. It’s likely that your life as a school leaver trainee will begin with an induction period.

As part of your school leaver programme, you will work towards a professional qualification, a foundation degree or an undergraduate degree. This part of your training is likely to involve attending lectures and workshops, doing a lot of self-study, completing assignments and sitting exams.

Your induction might last a few days, it might last a few weeks, but it will essentially give you a comprehensive introduction to the company, your new role and what to expect over the next few years. This will also be an opportunity for you to spend some time with the other school leaver trainees and get to know your line managers. The induction period is also likely to involve a number of social events, which will give you an opportunity to get to know your colleagues better.

In-house training sessions On-the-job Once the induction period is over, it’ll be time to knuckle down. A large proportion of your training will be done on-the-job under the supervision of a senior member of staff. This is arguably the most vital aspect of your training. You’ll be rolling up your sleeves, getting your hands dirty, strapping on the nosebag and eating some serious work. The best way to learn about a job is by actually doing the job. It will also be a perfect way to apply what you learn in the classroom to a real-life work situation. As part of your on-the-job training, you might complete a set of rotations, where you’ll work in one department for six months, then another department for the next six months, and so on. This is a great way of gaining experience in different areas of the business, developing a variety of skills, and figuring out which area of the business you would like to specialise in once you’ve completed the programme.

You might spend one day at college and four days working for the company, or you might be sent to a training centre on block release. For some school leaver programmes, you might attend university for a year, before returning to work fulltime for the company and finishing your qualification through distance learning. Either way you’ll have to work hard to succeed.

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It’s likely that you will also be required to take part in in-house training sessions and skills workshops from time-to-time, which will be organised by your company and held in your offices on a regular basis. These sessions will give you the opportunity to find out more about the business, keep up-to-date with industry developments, and learn about the latest business processes and computer systems that you will be using in your role.

Support & feedback In addition to your training, you will receive ongoing support from senior colleagues and receive regular feedback on your performance. This support and feedback will most likely be given in a structured way. For instance, you may be required to take part in midrotation and end-of-rotation appraisals with your line manager.

How much will I earn as an apprentice?

How much will I earn on a school leaver programme?

As anyone will tell you, one of the big perks

The reason that school leaver programmes

of an apprenticeship is that you’ll get paid.

are such an attractive alternative to

But hold up, before you splash out on a

university is the fact that you won’t have

new set of wheels, you should find out how

to fork out wads of cash for expensive

much you will actually earn.

tuition fees and, better still, you’ll be paid

The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £3.30 an hour. It’s illegal for a company to pay you anything lower. This minimum wage applies to all 16-18-year-old apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. Luckily, employers tend to pay more than minimum wage. On average, apprentices tend to earn around £170 a week; although some earn less and others earn more. Also, after the first year of the apprenticeship, people who are aged 19 and over must get paid the full National Minimum Wage for their age group. Don’t worry though! You won’t be paid those rates all your life. As you grow in experience, your pay levels will increase. It might be low to start with, but it won’t stay that way. In fact, it’s getting paid while you learn that is one of the real advantages of doing an apprenticeship. If you’re under 24, then the government will cover the cost of your training. Of course, if you do get paid the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices, you might be eligible to receive benefits from the government as well. In any case, it’s worth exploring the funding options out there.

handsomely by your employer as you work towards a qualification and gain valuable work experience. But how lucrative will your school leaver programme salary be?

More bang for your buck Since the vast majority of school leaver programmes don’t fit into an accredited apprenticeship framework, and participants in these kind of training schemes are not employed on a ‘Contract of Apprenticeship’, companies do not have to comply with the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices (£3.30 an hour). Instead, they must pay their school leavers the full National Minimum Wage appropriate to their age, which is £3.87 for under 18-year-olds, £5.30 for 18-to-20-year-olds and £6.70 for people aged 21 and over. From April 2016, a new mandatory National Living Wage will be introduced for workers aged 25 years and above, initially set at £7.20. Fortunately, the majority of companies that run school leaver programmes recognise that they need to attract candidates with impressive salary and benefits packages. Consequently, the vast majority of employers offer their school leavers salaries above and beyond the National Minimum Wage.

Show me the money! Understandably, different companies pay school leavers differing amounts. Many large companies, such as major accounting firms choose not to reveal how much they pay their school leavers on their websites; they simply state that they offer a ‘competitive’ salary. Based on how competitive the school leaver job market is becoming, and salary information released by other companies that run similar programmes, it’s safe to assume that the most powerful companies in the finance and business sector will pay their school leavers a starting annual salary of around £20,000 or more. This can vary, however, based on location. Indeed, school leavers based in London are likely to be paid more because of higher living costs. If you fancy a job in public sector finance, you could join the National Audit Office’s school leaver programme, where you’ll earn £22,274 per annum. If engineering is more your thing, you could sign up to one of National Grid’s school leaver programmes, where you’ll earn £23,500.

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A-level results: what if my grades aren’t enough? A-level results day always seems to be filled with news reports and articles on happy students in their school hall beaming away with their straight A results transcripts, right? Or doing one of those ‘jump for joy’ poses in the air? And that rather irritating comment that exams are getting easier tends to crop up too. Have they tried A-level maths recently?! 18-year-olds across the country have spent weeks worrying about their future destinations. There’s a lot of pressure riding on that one piece of paper! So when the day finally arrives and you are one of those jolly souls to have bagged the right grades for what you want to do next and where you want to go, that’s definitely a licence to party!

But what about the rest of us? A-level results aren’t always the most pleasant of experiences for everyone. There are still plenty of people out there who don’t quite manage to get the grades they need for their plans. And if you’re one of them, it can feel worse than that envelope moment for the losing contender on Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice and The X Factor combined. Understatement, much? When you’ve worked so hard for two years and just missed out on your goal, it’s tough. And it’s okay to be disappointed. But all will not be lost! So you need an action plan to prepare you for that bit of paper and what to do if things don’t quite go to plan on A-level results day…

So what do you do if your A-level grades aren’t enough? “My life is over!!” Err, think again! If you don’t quite get what you need for Plan A, this does NOT mean

that you are useless, no good and won’t ever get an education, job or career. So first things first, get that out of your head right away! We mean it. Just talk to some of the people around you. We guarantee you’ll find someone who didn’t quite get the grades, and they’re still standing! If your plan was to go to university and your heart’s still set on this, then keep calm and call the exam results helpline. Advisers are available throughout the exam results period to discuss what you can do with lower, or even higher grades than expected. It’ll be really busy on A-level results day, so perhaps giving them a call beforehand might not be a bad idea, just to get your head straight about your potential options. Clearing can be a stressful process if you are still sure you want to go to university. The best way to deal with it is to be very focused about the course you want to study, and ensure you select the best course available to you for that subject area.

Sponsored degrees If a traditional university route isn’t an option with your results, you might be able to try another way in, such as sponsored degrees. Some big companies will now pay for successful applicants with A-level qualifications to study a full degree at university, while also gaining work experience and training in their offices. The scheme then leads to a job with the company once you’ve got your degree. One way to avoid tuition fees!

Higher Apprenticeships If your grades aren’t what you expect, you may still be a perfect candidate for an Intermediate, Advanced or Higher Apprenticeship. Modern apprenticeships are kind of a big deal. They are offered by some of the biggest graduate employers in the UK, such as PwC, Deloitte, National Grid and Visa Europe, they provide structured training and they pay competitive salaries. News flash: you don’t need a degree to pursue a career as an

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engineer, accountant, IT specialist or even a lawyer nowadays! Higher Apprenticeships require applicants to have A-levels, sometimes in relevant subjects to the industry, so numericallybased qualifications will be good for an accountancy or finance apprenticeship, for example. You could also apply for a job straight away. However, you may be less likely to gain as much formal structured training. On completing a Higher Apprenticeship, which can last up to five years, you will be at the same level as any graduate, with even more on-the-job experience. Some even result in a permanent job at the company you’ve been an apprentice for. It paves a route for serious progression within the chosen sector. Hello employability! More and more companies are seeing the importance of employing bright, keen young people to start learning the ropes in an apprenticeship format, and the government is pressing for the creation of more of these options in the near future. So having a dip into some more information about apprenticeships as a back-up plan, or even first choice, isn’t such a shabby idea!

Talk about it! Whatever you decide, don’t bottle up your frustrations regarding your results and your next move. Family, friends, careers advisers and teachers, are there to help you through. It’s important to know there are options out there for you. Places for university may be becoming more competitive, but there is certainly an option out there for everyone – even if they don’t get the results they expect. And there is most definitely life after A-level results!

How to find an apprenticeship or school leaver programme

Other sources of vacancies include

So you’ve decided you want to do an apprenticeship or a school

The National Apprenticeship Service, which lists a large number of apprenticeship vacancies.

leaver programme. That’s great! Of course, the great big hulking question is: where can you find these vacancies?

Apprenticeship & school leaver programme job boards

Speculative applications to companies

Start off by using the job board on AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk, where you can find apprenticeships, school leaver programmes and sponsored degrees with some of the UK’s top companies.

Many job opportunities aren’t advertised, but there is another weapon in the school leaver’s arsenal and that is the speculative application. If there’s a company that you really want to work for, or one that you know has taken on apprentices in the past, then you can always send them a speculative application.

You can also browse a list of employers and training providers to find out about the organisations offering opportunities for school and college leavers. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our Top Employers for School & College Leavers at the front of this book.

This involves giving them a call to find out the name and contact details of the person who handles recruitment for the company. You can then send them a speculative cover letter and your CV (usually via email), enquiring about possible apprenticeship vacancies. A couple of weeks later you can follow up your email with a call to check that the person has received it. Speculative applications aren’t a sure-fire way of getting an apprenticeship, but they’re certainly worth a shot.

Your local job centre will often have details of apprenticeship vacancies in your area or companies willing to take on apprentices. Alternatively, you could get in touch with your local council for information about possible opportunities.

Try getting in contact with your local further education college or training provider to find out about possible opportunities.

If you know what industry or sector you want to get into, then you could try sector skills councils and professional associations to find out about the sorts of opportunities available.

It’s well worth keeping an eye on industry publications for news of companies taking on apprentices.

Attend apprenticeship and school leaver job fairs near you. These are a great way to find out about the types of opportunities available and the companies offering them.

Social media. Many school leaver employers now have Facebook pages and Twitter profiles, so search for these next time you’re logged in and follow them to find out about the latest opportunities.

You might also want to search on the internet for larger companies with offices in your area and give them a call or check on their website to see if they have any opportunities for school leavers. The safest bet is to try the employers with established graduate schemes as they are often more likely to have a school leaver programme or apprenticeship scheme.

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Useful Tips & Advice 93%

s use r e t i cru dia of re l me a i c so ing atesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; d i d e hir k a can m les to fi s o r p sion deci

What should I put in my apprenticeship cover letter? You should mention your lifelong devotion to Burnley FC, how you like to organise your wardrobe and why celebs posting make-up free pics of themselves on Twitter is like

How to write a brilliant cover letter Your cover letter isn’t a throwaway document; it’s the introduction to your CV, flaunting your relevant qualities and hammering home why you’d be an excellent asset to the company. In the old days, paper covering letters literally covered your CV when they were placed on top. Nowadays, most people send cover letters in an email format with their CV attached. Companies might ask candidates to send a cover letter and CV as part of an application, or you might send a cover letter when speculatively applying for an apprenticeship.

totes amaze. Really? No. An apprenticeship cover letter is a professional, formal letter and its content should reflect that. You want it to showcase your qualities and skills which are relevant to the apprenticeship. So before you do anything, make sure you’ve researched the company (their website is a good place to start) and the apprenticeship. What’s different about the company? What are their values? Who are their customers? What does the apprenticeship involve? What do they look for in apprentices? You should also think about what attracts you to the company and the apprenticeship. Thinking over, let’s crack on with writing it. Companies don’t have a whole lot of time, so keep your cover letter relatively short. Around three paragraphs should do the trick. You can create a general cover letter template, but you should tailor it for every apprenticeship application. Whoever is reading it should get the sense that you’re passionate about their apprenticeship in particular, not that you’re just desperate for anything going.

Structuring your apprenticeship cover letter Even though you’ll most likely be emailing your cover letter, it’s important to abide by some letter writing rules. Try and address your covering letter to a named person (e.g. “Dear Claire Smith”). To do this, you’ll need to call up the company and ask who is in charge of hiring apprentices. If you can’t find out, then you might just have to settle for “Dear Sir/Madam”. Clearly divide your cover letter into paragraphs and end it “Yours sincerely” if it’s being sent to a named person or if you haven’t managed to find out a name then use: “Yours faithfully” followed by your name.

Paragraph one

EXTRA TIPS

1 2

Try and keep your cover letter relatively short: it should be no longer than one side of A4, and preferably shorter. Employers don’t want to have to spend too long reading your cover letter.

Use the first paragraph of your letter to explain why you are writing, to identify the apprenticeship you’re interested in and to give them a unique reason why you think you’d be an asset to the company. Try to show enthusiasm and genuine interest in the apprenticeship and the company.

Read it through aloud to make sure it makes sense and get someone else to check over your cover letter and give feedback. You might need to do several drafts. At the risk of sounding like a nagging grandma, scour every inch of your apprenticeship cover letter for grammatical errors, typos and spelling mistakes. You’ll thank us later.

Try and avoid boring formulaic sentences and clichés. A cover letter is also a chance to show off your writing, so sending in something that looks like it was written by a robot probably won’t impress.

Steer clear of Times New Roman and embrace contemporary fonts like Verdana or Helvetica. These fonts are designed to be read on the screen so are particularly useful if you are emailing your cover letter.

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Paragraph two The next paragraph might outline why you’re interested in the company, the apprenticeship and the industry. Try to come up with genuine and different reasons, not “I want to work for you because you’re the best”.

Paragraph three In this paragraph you might want to pick out the skills and qualities you have that would make you a great apprentice. Use the apprenticeship job description as a jumping off point, as, more often than not, it’ll include a list of the qualities or competencies they are looking for. Back up your assertions with evidence.

Finally... You can tie up your letter by addressing any formalities, such as saying when you’re available for interview, or covering any practical issues they might ask about. And hey presto! You have a tip top cover letter. Bosh!

How to write a CV

Presentation

Putting together a CV might seem like a daunting prospect, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. An apprenticeship CV doesn’t have to be as long as a normal CV. The employer won’t expect you to have loads of experience, so if your CV is only a page long, that should be fine. In any case, as a rule, most CVs shouldn’t be longer than two pages. You should equip yourself with a basic CV template and then tailor it for every application. That means identifying the skills, qualifications and experience that you think will interest the employer and are most relevant to the apprenticeship or school leaver programme you are applying for. Nobody likes to see flabby bits on a CV. It should be as trim and fit as an Olympic athlete. Resist the temptation to pad your CV out with useless information. Yes, your CV might look a bit on the skinny side, but short and sweet is better than long and irrelevant.

Social media tips

Your CV should be typed; don’t scrawl it out on the back of a cereal packet. When choosing a font, don’t go smaller than point size 11. Don’t go wacky, but maybe try something other than Arial and Times New Roman. Since so many CVs are sent via email or through online application systems, you might want to use a font designed to be read on screen such as Verdana or Helvetica. Never, ever use Comic Sans! What you put in your CV is super important, but so is the layout. Use headings to divide your CV into sections so the reader can easily pick out what they are looking for. Bold, italics and bullet points will help make your CV more readable, but don’t go overboard. Clear and simple is the way forward.

Facebook

How to improve your online presence, so it’s less “Look at me and my craaazy antics” and more “Look at me and how much I could bring to the workplace”. When employers receive job applications one of the first things they’ll do is check you out online. To make sure they get a positive impression there are a few easy steps you need to take.

LinkedIn Linked In is a great way to highlight your skills and experience. Completed profiles are seven times more likely to be viewed - as well as all those school leaver applications don’t rule out the possibility of being headhunted for a job! So, include any projects you’ve worked on, extra curricular activities and even your part time job. All of these give an insight into ‘brand you’ and show prospective employers and connections what makes you different from the crowd.

First things first: Don’t have that infamous photo of you passed out in a rabbit fancy dress costume as your Facebook profile picture: 65% of recruiters check out job candidates on Facebook, and you don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons! Even though it’s not as CV-led as LinkedIn, Facebook is an easy way to show off your work credentials. Just click on “Edit Profile,” and the top of the screen lists “Work and Education.” As well as your current job (or school course), you can list duties and accomplishments, and to be really smart you can classify your friends list – so you can target work-related status updates at your professional contacts, and hide particular photos or posts from them. Go to your list of friends and hover your cursor over the “Friends” rectangle next to a professional contact’s name. You’ll see a range of lists, including the option to create a “new list.” Create one called “Professional” or “Work” and find all of your friends who you would consider professional contacts, and add them to that list.

It only takes 50 trusted connections on LinkedIn to start seeing a difference to your network, so once you’ve built a great profile reach out to family and friends, as well as anyone you think might be interested in your developing career path.

Twitter Build up a social network of contacts in the industry you’re interested in and let the Twittersphere know that you are looking for a school leaver programme. It’s definitely worth following companies that you want to work for (some even have dedicated Facebook and Twitter feeds for their school leaver schemes) to help you find out more about them. You’ll also be the first to know about new opportunities.

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What should I actually put in my CV?

Parrot Shop). Underneath, you should list what your duties were and the skills that you developed whilst working there. For example:

Contact details Positioned at the top of your CV should be your name. Underneath should be your contact details, i.e. address, telephone number and email address.

For example:

My duties involved: • assisting customers; • selling; • cleaning the shop; • answering the telephone and working behind the till. Dealing with particularly demanding customers really developed my customer service skills. I also learnt to work efficiently under pressure during busy weekend periods and developed an exemplary telephone manner.

Jane Smith 38 School Leaver Lane, Brighton. B3 9GH j.smith@mail.me 0776230321

The aim of this section is to prove to the employer that you have the skills they are looking for. For instance, the list of duties above would be great for someone wanting to get an apprenticeship in a call centre as it shows: customer services skills, telephone skills and working well under pressure.

Personal profile Underneath that you could put in a brief personal profile explaining what your career aspirations are, why you want to work in this particular industry, and any attributes or skills that you have that’ll make them want to employ you. Your personal profile should only be a few lines, so don’t bore them with a great long essay.

Education Below your personal profile, comes your education. Insert a header ‘Education’ and then underneath it list it in chronological order, with the last school you attended at the top. You should only record your education from the age of 11, so don’t mention your primary school. For example, you could list it like this:

2006-present: All About School Leavers High School A-levels: English Language, Maths, Biology (ABB predicted) GSCEs: English Language (A), Food Technology (A), English Literature (B), Maths (B), French (B), Dual Science Award (C) (C), History (C), IT (C), Psychology (C).

You can play around with how you present it, but make sure it’s readable and you’ve got all the right information. Remember to put down what the qualification is, e.g. GCSE, BTEC or A-level. It’s also best not to include subjects that you have failed. You might want to include any other academic achievements too; for example, if you got a scholarship or achieved a gold award in the ‘Maths Challenge’.

Work experience

Interests & extracurricular activities If you don’t have much work experience, you can really play up your interests and extracurricular activities, i.e. anything you’ve been involved with inside and outside of school. Mention interests that are relevant to the apprenticeship or things that will interest the reader (definitely not: “I like hanging out with my mates and playing on my Xbox One”). You might also want to mention any other non-academic achievements, such as getting a brown belt in karate or getting a silver Duke of Edinburgh award. If you volunteer in your spare time, then definitely put that down.

Skills Depending on the apprenticeship, you might want to mention language skills and computing skills. Tell them if you’re fluent in any languages. If you aren’t, but you can hold a conversation in a foreign language, then say that you’re an ‘intermediate’ or ‘conversational’ speaker. If you are applying for an apprenticeship that requires practical skills, you might want to briefly outline any technical skills you’ve got. Applying for an office based apprenticeship? Then put down your general and specialist computing skills. Do you have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Dreamweaver or Photoshop? What is your typing speed? Can you use both PCs and Macs? Whatever you can do, put it down!

References Don’t worry! You won’t need a huge amount of references. Usually you’ll need about two or three. The important thing to remember is that they should not be members of your family or your friends. You can ask your teacher or tutor for a reference and you can get references from previous employers or people you worked for during work experience placements. Always contact your referees first to make sure they are happy to give a reference and to have their contact details shared.

Next, you should put in any work experience you’ve done. This might include any jobs you’ve had, or any work experience placements you’ve done. Like your education, it is usually better to put the most recent things first. You should write down the dates you worked there (e.g. September 2010 to February 2010), the name of the company you worked for and your role (e.g. Saturday Sales Assistant at The Irritating

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Finally (turning on the loudspeaker) There’s one way you can instantly put off an employer and that’s having spelling and grammatical mistakes in your CV. Get someone who really knows their stuff to check your CV for errors. Double-check to make sure you’ve put down the right contact details, and read through your CV several times to check it through. There is nothing, and we mean nothing, worse than a CV riddled with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

Common CV mistakes There are some mistakes that even the most seasoned of job hunters make, so nip them in the bud early and make sure your CV doesn’t have any of these all too common mistakes…

4 Poorly formatted CVs If there’s one thing that makes a recruiter’s heart sink, it’s being confronted with a messy, confusing CV. You need to ensure that your CV has uniform formatting and a clear layout. Use a readable, attractive font and bold for your headings to separate them out from the text.

1 Using a “fun” email address

Don’t undermine your professional CV by using a “fun” or “quirky” personal email address, such as darkangel@mail.com or thechosenone@mail.com. Create a professional sounding email address, which simply includes your name and maybe a number or two.

Not checking your CV thoroughly We’re not just talking about sifting out any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and typos here (although this is really important). Checking your contact details should be at the top of your list of priorities. Is your phone number and email address right?

Padding out your CV with fluff

Family referees

Try to avoid padding out your CV with extraneous information to make it look longer. It only needs to be one or two pages long. You should trim and tailor your CV to every job application.

Don’t use your mum, dad, sister or pet hamster as a reference. It doesn’t matter that Humpty the hamster will be able to give you a glowing reference, recruiters won’t be impressed.

Online application forms: what to expect If you’ve never completed an online job application before, there’s a pretty good chance you won’t know what information you’ll be expected to provide when applying for a school leaver programme or apprenticeship. Just so you aren’t shocked, stunned or horrified when you start your application form, here’s a short guide to what you can expect.

Skills At some point on the application form, you will typically be given the chance to provide details of any additional skills you have, any positions of responsibility you’ve held, any scholarships or academic prizes you’ve been awarded, and any significant travelling you’ve done. Only include pieces of information that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you are fluent in another language, stick it down. If you have some niche IT skills, make sure you include them. If you can touch your nose with your tongue, don’t mention it at all. You get the idea.

Career motivations Do you meet the basic entry requirements?

Education & extenuating circumstances

Many application forms will start off by asking you to confirm that you satisfy the basic entry requirements of the programme. For instance, you will be asked to confirm that you have achieved, or are on course to achieve, the minimum academic requirements for the programme, e.g. 280 UCAS points. You may also be asked to confirm that you are eligible to work in the UK.

In this section, you’ll be asked to list your qualifications and grades. Again, this part is pretty easy, but make sure you’re very careful and don’t make any mistakes. Entering the wrong grades could be costly.

Contact details / personal details The next step of the application form is likely to involve entering your contact details. This is the easy part of the application, but don’t just breeze through it. Make sure you enter your home address, phone number and email address correctly. Double check you have entered the right details. There’s no point in sending off a fantastic application if they can’t contact you to invite you to an interview.

Here are a few example questions: If you enter lower grades than you actually achieved, you may miss out on a place at an assessment centre. If you enter higher grades than you actually achieved, and are asked to provide proof of your grades, you may be removed from the application process for providing false information. If you have any extenuating circumstances that affected your grades, you may also be given the opportunity to explain them in this section of the application form.

Employment history/ work experience This is your chance to discuss any jobs you’ve had or any work experience you’ve completed. It’s likely that you’ll be asked to provide the following details: your job title, the name of your employer, the location, the dates you worked there, your responsibilities and your reason for leaving. Make sure you spell the name of your employer correctly and make sure the description of your responsibilities is concise and to-the-point. If you can use bullet points on the application form, we’d recommend doing so. Treat this section of the application form like your CV. Tailor the description of your responsibilities to the specific scheme you are applying for, using carefully selected keywords and cutting out any irrelevant information.

Some application forms may only ask you to detail your education and work experience, and won’t actually ask you any questions. Many other application forms, however, will ask you a handful of questions about your career motivations.

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“Why do you want to join…?” “Please explain your understanding of this programme and the activities you expect to undertake in your first year with the firm.” “What does exceptional client service mean to you? Tell us about a time when you have delivered or received exceptional client service. What did you learn from it?”

This is the most challenging part of the application form. You will usually be given a word limit, so your answers will have to be short, sharp and well-informed. Before you answer these questions, make sure you have thoroughly researched the firm. Think hard about your career motivations, be honest and make sure your answers are unique.

References In this section, you will simply be asked to provide the name and contact details of two or three references. Your referee needs to be someone who has known you in a professional capacity, such as a teacher, employer or someone you’ve done work experience with. Make sure you check they are happy to be your referee first. Oh, and don’t use family members or friends!

Upload CV & cover letter

Equal opportunities

Declaration

Some application forms may ask you to upload your CV and a cover letter. You will usually upload these files in a Word or PDF format.

For their own internal records, companies may ask you to disclose some information about your ethnicity, religion, sexuality and disabilities (if applicable). The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only and will not be used as part of the selection process.

Finally, you will be asked to declare that the information you have provided on the application form is correct. At this point, it might be a good idea to do a quick recap and double check all the information you have provided on the application form. Once you’re happy with everything, confirm that everything is accurate and submit your application. Job done! All you have to do now is sit back and wait for an interview offer.

Assessment centres: what to expect For large apprenticeship and school leaver programmes, you might be invited to an assessment centre or assessment day. It might sound intimidating, like something out of a dystopian sci-fi movie, but really there’s no reason to be quaking in your boots. Assessment centres aren’t sinister; you won’t be required to balance a walking stick on your nose whilst humming the national anthem backwards in front of a panel of self-important judges and an audience

How can I prepare for an assessment centre? You might imagine doing a Rocky-esque training montage. Pumping iron and pulling trains with your teeth to the 80s beats of ‘Eye of the Tiger’. You can do that if you want, but in reality, your preparation will probably be less sweat-soaked. Swap the boxing ring for a computer and thoroughly research the company. Scour their website and read up on any recent articles about them or their deals. You might also want to think about your own strengths and weaknesses and what you feel you can bring to the role.

Assessment centres are used by big employers to test your suitability for an apprenticeship or school leaver programme. They are usually saved for applicants in the penultimate or final stage of the application process. So if you’re invited to one, you’ve got every right to be chuffed. It means they think you might be a very good candidate!

The main thing is to keep in mind the selection criteria they specified in the job application. Odds on, every exercise and interview will be geared towards testing you against this. There will probably be a social event incorporated into the day, so prepare a list of questions you want to know about the company to ask the current employees.

Assessment centres are designed to be the most accurate and fair way of testing your suitability. They usually involve a mixture of tests, interviews, and exercises; all designed to give you an opportunity to show the recruiters what you can do. The beauty of this is that if you think you’ve fluffed it in one exercise, you can wow them in the others. One of the major differences about assessment centres is that you’ll get to meet other candidates and might even complete group exercises with them.

What about during the assessment centre?

of millions. Britain’s Got Talent it ain’t.

What does an assessment centre involve? Assessment centres come in all shapes and sizes. They might involve a series of interviews: such as group, panel and individual interviews, or they might involve a mixture of tests, group exercises and interviews. Usually the assessment centre exercises will be designed to reflect the type of work you’ll be doing if offered a place on the programme. The employer will also be looking for other qualities, like how well you work in a team and your leadership skills. Some of the exercises might reflect real working environments; for example, you might be asked to work through a problem or case study.

As part of the assessment centre, you might be required to sit a psychometric, aptitude or numerical reasoning test. Some companies will require you to give a presentation or complete an e-tray exercise. Of course, it’s not just hours upon hours of testing. Most companies incorporate information sessions or social events into the assessment day. These aren’t really about starting a conga line around the office; they’re more about finding out about the company and its culture.

You should treat the assessment centre like a job and go dressed in smart business wear, so put that velour Juicy Couture tracksuit away. One of the biggest challenges at the assessment centre will be keeping your concentration up. You might have a long slog of exercises and interviews, so it’s pretty important that you try and stay motivated. Pay close attention to any instructions and make sure you pace yourself during timed tests. The employers will also be interested in how you interact with others. Be sociable, friendly and shake hands with everyone you meet. There’s not much point in trying to ‘take down’ other candidates. With an assessment centre, there are usually a number of roles up for grabs, not just one. Focus on showing what a great candidate you are, rather than trying to trip others up.

AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk | Ultimate Guide

Featured Firms Feeling inspired to explore your school leaver options? Good, you should be! Check out our featured firms pages for the vital statistics on what opportunities are available at which companies, the qualifications and training on offer, and how to apply to the schemes that sound right for you.

% 3 . 8 7

l choo s k hin ers t er y o l p umb m n t e u f o ill o the rs w e s in v t a i u le r rec s uate d a r year g e v fi next

64 66

Alphasights

IBM

Jaguar Land Rover

CGI

Mazars

Civil Service

Moore Stephens

Deloitte

DE&S

Eversheds

100

Pret a Manger

Fieldfisher

102

PWC

80 82 84

Balfour Beatty

Fujitsu

Gist

96 98

104 106 AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk | Ultimate Guide

National Audit Office

National Grid

Nomura

Smith & Williamson

Volvo

Digital connectivity is disrupting businesses across industries and geographies, and turning the established order upside down. Consumers now enjoy on-demand access to everything from taxis to cleaners. AlphaSights brings the on-demand revolution to professional knowledge. We’re established as the go-to partner for some of the largest consultancies, private equity funds, investment banks and corporations in the world, helping unlock the industry expertise they need to succeed. Our Client Service Team works seamlessly across locations in major global financial centres to quickly identify, engage and assess the right Expert Advisors in response to our clients’ business challenges.

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Gap Year Programme

Running for eight months (shorter contracts are available), this scheme is for those who thrive in a high-performance, high-energy environment. School leavers will be given immediate commercial responsibility and opportunity to contribute to the bottom line of the business, thereby developing an invaluable set of core business skills.

Looking for... Competitive, results orientated and commercially motivated. Adaptable, emotionally intelligent and humble. Advanced quantitative or numerical skills are not needed for this role.

Entry requirements: Minimum AAB predicted at A-level.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: >300

@JoinAlphaSights

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alphasights

£16-18,000/year Opportunity to enrol in AlphaSights University Ambassador Scheme (£750 per year of university)

https://www.facebook.com/alphasightsus

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 5

Locations Available: Central London

Find out more: http://www.alphasights.com/careers

QUALIFICATIONS + TRAINING + NO STUDENT DEBT = A GREAT JOB

NOW THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOOD MATHS Find apprenticeships, school leaver programmes & sponsored degrees at

AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk Image credit: Quinn Dombrowski

66TH 73.7%

As the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest construction business, we offer new entrants an unparalleled variety of career paths and qualifications.

Higher Apprenticeship Advanced Apprenticeship Intermediate Apprenticeship

We support construction trades and have apprenticeships in many CSUK sectors. If you are interested in more technical roles you could join us. Alternatively, we have many business related roles now available. In September 2015 we introduced a brand new Degree Apprenticeship that will enable you to become a Chartered Surveyor, Construction Manager, Incorporated Engineer or Architectural Technologist and gain a degree in the process.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 36,000+

Starting Salary for School Leavers: Competitive

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 200

Locations Available: UK-Wide

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

13th

68.3%

Looking for...

74.2%

School Leaver Programmes

Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Intermediate Apprenticeships

Intermediate Level Apprenticeships are designed to earn while working towards a nationally recognised qualification. Typically apprenticeships are designed to allow you to gain work-based learning qualifications such as a NVQ Level 2, Level 2 Diploma in relevant subject, Level 2 Functional Skills (Maths, English, ICT) and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills.

Candidate profile: As well as strong numeracy and well-developed team and people skills, you will have the passion and enthusiasm to keep the momentum going on a project. You will be able to set the pace as well as the standards for the team. You will also have the ability to describe what interests and motivates you to the construction industry.

You will support real projects, learn about our business and get exposure to our operations. During the scheme you will attend college on a day or block release basis and learn the essential skills of your future role. You will be required to have three A*-C grades at GCSE. The scheme will usually last two years.

A minimum of three A*-C GCSEs for Intermediate Apprenticeships and five A*-C GCSEs for Advanced Apprenticeships. A minimum of three A-level grades in order to complete the Higher Apprenticeships.

Advanced Apprenticeships

We offer three types of Advanced Apprenticeships; trade, technical and business. Typically apprentices are designed to allow you to gain work-based learning qualifications such as a NVQ Level 3, Level 3 Diploma in relevant subject, Level 3 Functional Skills (Maths, English, ICT) and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. You will also be on the first step of the ladder towards gaining a professional qualification. You may also be given the opportunity to be selected for a Higher Apprenticeship if you can demonstrate the potential and commitment required for further development. You will be required to have five A*-C grades at GCSE, or alternatively already have completed a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship. The scheme will usually last between two and four years.

Higher Apprenticeships

Having completed your A-levels or a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, our Higher Technical Apprenticeships might be the right option for you. Our Higher Apprentice schemes are designed to offer you a structured work-based training programme, whilst continuing your studies to obtain higher qualification such as a Level 4 Diploma, an HNC. You may be given the opportunity to continue your studies to obtain Foundation Degree or even an Honours Degree. During the scheme you will attend college or University on a day or block release basis. You will work in one of our offices, or on site, under the guidance of a more senior colleague where you will demonstrate the skills learned at college and improve them in real work situations.

Find out more:: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/balfour-beatty fieldfisher

Entry Requirements:

@BB_Careers

https://www.linkedin.com/ company/balfour-beattyconstruction-services-uk

BALFOUR BEATTY CAREERS CAN START EARLY AT

Each year we seek the best school leavers to come and join our ever changing business. We have committed to ensuring that 5% of our UK workforce is made up of apprentices, graduates or sponsored students on structured programmes within the next five years. APPRENTICESHIPS As the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest construction business, we offer new entrants an unparalleled variety of career paths and qualifications. If you are interested in construction trades we have apprenticeships in electrical and mechanical engineering, plumbing, maintenance operations, street lighting, highways maintenance and construction operations. If you are interested in technical roles you could join us as an Apprentice Civil Engineer, Building Services Engineer, Power Engineer, Site Supervisor or Quantity Surveyor. If you are interested in business roles you could join us as an apprentice in customer services, finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, business administration or health and safety. And in September 2015 we are introducing a brand new Degree Apprenticeship that will enable you to become a Chartered Surveyor, Construction Manager, Incorporated Engineer or Architectural Technologist and gain a degree in the process. We are offering these opportunities across the UK, visit www.balfourbeatty.com to find out more.

@balfourbeatty Balfour Beatty plc

67TH 73.6%

The fifth largest IT services company in the world, CGI has a huge network of 400 offices across 40 countries. Responsible for the satellite images on weather forecasts, for sending the first text message and for delivering the first 3G platform, it is at the forefront of innovation.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 3,500

Starting Salary for School Leavers: ÂŁ13,000

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 40

Locations Available: Not specified

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Intermediate Apprenticeship

School Leaver Programmes

7th

73.6%

Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available The Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme is a development programme for school leavers and non-graduates with the capability to excel.

Higher Apprenticeship: Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 420,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers: £19,500

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: Approx. 500 Fast Track apprentices

Locations Available: Across the UK

This is a two-year programme providing a real, practical alternative to university. You’ll be fully supported throughout; working towards an NVQ Level 4 qualification whilst gaining valuable experience. We offer one of the highest starting salaries for school leavers and offer permanent positions in the Civil Service to those who successfully complete the programme. We currently have Fast Track apprentices on the following frameworks: • Business and Administration • Commercial • Finance • Cyber Security • Digital and Technology. Roles vary widely across all frameworks. Some examples of the work our apprentices have done include: Investigating tax fraud, managing the Prime Minister’s Office communication budget and organising events for the Childcare and Education Minister.

Advanced Apprenticeship: Operational Delivery

This is a 12-18 month programme where you’ll be working towards a Level 3 in Operational Delivery. You’ll have an important job to keep this country running, making sure that millions of UK citizens and businesses get services and protection that they need. Roles vary across the country but could involve: • •

Supporting the unemployed to find work at the Department for Work and Pensions Processing passport applications at the Home Office.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/civil-service

Looking for... Candidate profile: We’re after potential, people who like to learn new and exciting skills on the job, and enthusiasm….and lots of it! All of our roles involve challenging, inspiring and collaborating with others in the right way.

Entry Requirements: Opportunities are available for candidates aged at least 16 on 31 August 2016. Five GCSEs *A-C inc Maths and English.

@CSFastTrackApp

http://www.facebook.com/ CSFastTrackApp

6th

Overall Ranking

90.1% Overall Score

Awards RUNNER UP Best School Leaver Programme

“Deloitte” is the brand under which tens of thousands of dedicated professionals in independent firms collaborate, to provide audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and related services to select clients. They work to make a positive impact on the reputation and success of our clients, the UK economy and the wider society.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 10,000+

Starting Salary for School Leavers: Competetive

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: Not specified

Locations Available: 23

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Intermediate Apprenticeship

2nd

90.1%

School Leaver Programmes Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available If you’re looking to build a successful career in business, our BrightStart scheme is a fantastic way to start. Available at 23 Deloitte offices across the UK, it offers the chance to earn while you work towards professional finance qualifications, and gain business experience that could lead to all kinds of amazing opportunities. There are a number of different paths you can take on the BrightStart scheme, on all of which you will gain practical, hands-on experience, benefit from first-class training and development, and study towards professional qualifications, fully-funded by the firm. Because you’ll be doing a real job from the day you start, you’ll enjoy rewards that reflect the valuable contribution you bring.

WINNER Best Opportunities for Skills Development

Looking for... Candidate profile: Just as important as your qualifications will be the personal qualities you bring. Here’s a quick run down of what we look for: •

•

Audit & Risk Advisory We tackle a huge variety of work. Typically, we examine a client’s financial records to make sure they present a true and fair reflection of the company’s commercial performance. It’s therefore a great way to get under the skin of different organisations and discover how they operate.

•

Consulting

•

With the sheer diversity of challenges we tackle in Consulting, comes an incredible breadth of opportunity. You could be showing clients how to improve their processes; advising on how to make better use of the latest technology; or helping them realise the potential of the talented people who work with them. Whatever you work on, you’ll be solving complex problems and shaping entire businesses, while adding to your own set of knowledge and skills.

•

Financial Advisory

•

Projects don’t get much more high profile than when a major high street retailer experiences a crisis. Here in Financial Advisory, you’ll work with clients on complex and often headline-making projects like this, while developing your business acumen and picking up valuable industry insights that will give you a great start to your career.

Tax Consulting You’ll work directly with clients in all kinds of sectors, including multinationals, entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals, helping them to manage their tax responsibly and bring real value to their organisations. Along the way, you’ll develop a wide range of business, consulting, finance and legal skills, which will lay foundations for a great career ahead.

•

Minimum 260 UCAS points – equivalent to two Cs and one B at A-level in your first sitting (not including General Studies), for example An open mind – you’re receptive to new ideas and excited by the prospect of learning something new Plenty of self-motivation – you enjoy setting your own targets and monitoring your own progress A team oriented approach – you’ll need to be comfortable and enjoy working in teams Natural communication skills – it’s as much about listening to others as it is about sharing your own ideas A dash of creativity – you look beyond the obvious and challenge established ways of doing things Bags of enthusiasm and ambition – the qualities that will drive your success Clear self-awareness – you understand where your strengths and development areas lie and take charge of your own development

@DeloitteSchools

https://www.facebook.com/ yourfutureatdeloitteuk https://www.linkedin.com/ company/deloitte-uk http://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/deloitte-llp

Earning while you learn opens the door to amazing BrightStart Business Apprenticeships Our BrightStart scheme is ideal if you’re looking to launch a successful career in business, and want to earn while you work towards professional qualifications with a global advisory firm. Whether you’ve just finished A Levels or an equivalent, decided university isn’t for you, or you want more than your current job can offer, you can go as far as you want to with BrightStart. And the rewards are amazing too. The whole world looks to us for business and financial advice. Find out if they could look to you at

www.deloitte.co.uk/brightstart #DeloitteDiscuss Audit & Risk Advisory • Tax Financial Advisory • Consulting

As a vital part of the Ministry of Defence, the DE&S is responsible for equipping and supporting the Armed Forces. The work is unique and exciting and we can help you to a very fulfilling career through our Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme.

Programmes available School leaver engineering opportunities

DE&S Advanced Apprenticeship Lasting for three years, this programme enables civilian apprentices to earn while they learn. This also earns participants an HNC engineering qualification and total earnings of almost ÂŁ50,000 over the period of the whole scheme. It is the first step in an amazing engineering career with the Ministry of Defence!

Key Statistics No. of Employees:

Looking for...

Not specified

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

Diligent applicants excited by the prospect of working with military equipment.

ÂŁ14,303

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 58

Locations Available: Bristol and Plymouth

Entry requirements: Five GCSEs of Grade C or above, including Maths, English and a science. 300 UCAS points or equivalent.

@MOD_DES_Jobs

https://www.linkedin.com/company/defence-equipment-andsupport https://www.facebook.com/DESCareers

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/de-s

Earn while you learn!

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME IN ENGINEERING

Have 3 years developing, at our expense, on the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Advanced Apprenticeship scheme. This is an amazing fully paid opportunity to become an engineer with the Ministry of Defence, while also earning yourself a valuable HNC engineering qualification along the way!

We offer you: • Probably the most exciting engineering apprenticeship scheme in the U.K; giving you the opportunity to work with a huge range of weapons and other defence equipment • Massive investment in your training and development! • An engineering Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme that takes you all the way through to an HNC Engineering qualification, and beyond, at our expense! • More than a job, it’s an amazing career too!

Qualifications required: If you have 5 GCSE’s (C or better, including Maths, English, and a Science) you could join this Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme.

For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/mod/des-advanced-apprenticeship This scheme is the first exciting step in your engineering career with the Ministry of Defence.

The MoD is an equal opportunities employer. 75

t Eversheds is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest full service law firms operating as one team, from 54 offices in 28 countries across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Eversheds is a law firm that is able to provide both a strong local and international presence. The firm has a strong pro bono portfolio and its clients are increasingly international.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 3,900

Starting Salary for School Leavers: ÂŁ16,000 (London)

Programmes available School leaver engineering opportunities

Legal Apprenticeships Programme:

Offered within the Real Estate Practice Group, trainees will learn client management, technical skills, and new business thinking. They will study for a Level 3 QCF Diploma in Business & Administration and when they finish, there is the possibility of being recruited into a full-time role.

Non-Legal Apprenticeships Programme:

Lasting for two years, this programme is conducted by Global Operations and includes a variety of role options, such as Pitch & Design Team Apprentice. The appropriate qualification will be studied for alongside the course and there is the possibility of being recruited for a full-time position.

Other opportunities

Eversheds Unlocked

Consisting of three days at an Eversheds office, this event is aimed at students in the first year of A-levels. Participants receive a lot of information and support about possible careers within law and at Eversheds, as well as one-on-one coaching sessions.

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: Not specified

Looking for...

Locations Available:

London, Leeds & Cardiff

Talented individuals looking for a professional legal or business . career. service

Entry requirements: Minimum of five GCSE grades A-C including Maths and English. Expecting good A-level results or equivalent.

@eversheds

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eversheds

https://www.facebook.com/evershedsllp Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/eversheds

eversheds.com ÂŠ Eversheds LLP 2015 Eversheds LLP is a limited liability partnership. DT05064_09/15

8TH

90%

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Committed to building a “better working world”, EY also promotes sustainable growth and greater collaboration. As part of a global network, the company operates in 28 regions.

Intermediate Apprenticeship

3rd

90%

School Leaver Programmes Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available Key Statistics No. of Employees: 210,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers: £21,500

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 100

Locations Available: Nationwide

School leaver opportunities

EY School Leaver Programme

School leavers can fast-track their career, avoid student debt and start earning right away on EY’s award-winning programme. Gain the same professional qualification - a year earlier - as a graduate.

Awards

FINALIST Best School Leaver Programme

RUNNER UP Best Use of Social Media in a School & College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

WINNER Best Opportunities for Career Progression

WINNER Most Innovative School & College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

WINNER Best Use of School & College Engagement in a Recruitment Campaign

EY Assurance Scholarship

Participants can combine a university offer with Accounting and Finance. They benefit from paid, employability-boosting work placements, a qualification and £15,000 in scholarship payments.

Looking for...

EY Advisory Scholarship

Candidate profile:

This three-year scholarship is perfect for those keen to go to university but want a career in business, plus paid work placements and bursaries. School leavers who impress the firm could be offered a place on the Advisory graduate programme.

Creative people looking to launch a career in business.

Other opportunites

EY Insight

These events for Year 12-13 (5th-6th year in Scotland) students are held in EY offices nationwide. Participants learn how to use their strengths and write successful applications, meet EY’s people, and get a feel for life in a leading global business.

EY Skills Academy

This residential course for Year 12/5 students interested in pursuing an alternative to university features a broad range of interactive exercises. Participants build business skills by solving real client problems, learn what the organisation needs from employees and meet business trainees, as well as some of EY’s most senior people.

Entry requirements: To be eligible any of the EY School Leaver programmes applicants should be studying A levels, Scottish Highers, or equivalent.

@EY_SchoolsUK

EY Foundation Smart Futures

This is a great opportunity: a 10-month programme, starting with three weeks’ paid work experience. Smart Futures boosts participants’ employability, gives them transferable skills and helps them get a job after school or go onto higher education. They could make some friends for life too!

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/ey

https://www.facebook.com/ EYUKcareers https://www.linkedin.com/ company/ernstandyoung

18TH 87.6%

A European law firm with market leading practices in many of the world’s most dynamic sectors including Real Estate, Energy, Financial Services, Government & Public Services, Hotels & Leisure, Life Sciences, Media, Telecoms and Technology. Clients choose us because we deliver commercial, pragmatic and innovative solutions through our exceptional legal expertise and experience, on time and on budget.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 586

Starting Salary for School Leavers: £16,000

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 3

Locations Available: London

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Intermediate Apprenticeship

6th

87.6%

School Leaver Programmes Sponsored Degrees

About us Our 400+ lawyers work with large businesses like the BBC, Pearson, Citigroup and Accenture, with government and the public sector, and with private wealth and social enterprises as trusted advisers, providing highly commercial advice based on an in-depth understanding of their needs. We operate across our international offices in Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Paris, London, Munich, Manchester, Silicon Valley and Shanghai.

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Step2Success

This five-year course allows trainees to acquire hands-on experience in the office while earning money. Additionally, you can earn the respected Cilex Level 6 qualification and work in departments such as real estate, technology and employment. After this, there is a strong possibility of remaining with the firm.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/fieldfisher

Looking for... Candidate profile: Independent applicant committed to a career in law.

Entry requirements: BCC at A-level or equivalent.

@FieldfisherGrad

https://www.facebook.com/ FieldfisherSchoolLeavers https://www.linkedin.com/ company/field-fisher

38TH

Overall Ranking

82%

Awards

Overall Score

FINALIST Fujitsu is a global ICT company, with 12,000 staff in the UK, which works with customers on every continent, in every industry. Together, we are empowering people to build a better, more connected society. In 2015, we were voted Responsible Business of the Year by BITC. We’re also extremely proud of our achievements with Apprenticeships, and we continue to look to invest in our future, by investing in you.

6th

84.1%

33rd

75.9%

5th

89.6%

School Leaver Programmes

Sponsored Degrees

Higher Apprenticeship Advanced Apprenticeship Intermediate Apprenticeship

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Intermediate Level

Key Statistics

Our Intermediate Level Apprenticeships are targeted at those of school leaving age with five GCSE’s grade A-C (or equivalent).

Advanced Level No. of Employees: Not specified

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

£12,000 - £17,500 (depending on which programme started)

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: Over 50 a year

Locations Available:

Bracknell, Warrington, Manchester, Stevenage, Telford, Manchester, Solihull, Crewe, Northern Ireland

Our Advanced Level Apprenticeships are targeted at college leavers who decided not to go to University or those that have not completed their first year of university, who have three A-levels at C grade and above (or equivalent).

Higher Level

Our Higher Level Apprenticeships are targeted at those apprentices who have excelled in their previous apprenticeship, are part of our Fujitsu talent pool already, or have a suitable Level 3 qualification already and looking to continue their learning and development.

Degree Level

Our Degree Level Apprenticeships are aimed at college leavers who have obtained three A-levels at grade A-C or equivalent. This is a four-year apprenticeship, at the end of which the apprentice will have gained a degree – and no tuition fees for you to pay!

Best Job Satisfaction

FINALIST Best Opportunities for Career Progression

FINALIST Best Intermediate Apprenticeship

Looking for... Candidate profile: Our apprentices are highly valued for bringing unique skills and innovative approach. We want candidates that grasp the opportunity to complete a qualification that really interests them, as well as developing on the job skills to further their career.

Entry requirements: Entry requirements are listed alongside each of the programmes, and further information can be found at http://www.fujitsu. com/uk/about/local/ jobs/graduates/ apprenticeships/

@FujitsuUKApp

https://www.facebook.com/ FujitsuApprenticeships https://www.linkedin.com/ company/fujitsu

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/fujitsu

Opportunities to grow with Fujitsu

At Fujitsu, our unique approach to innovation is centred on people. We are a global ICT company that works with customers on every continent, in every industry. Together, we are empowering people to build a better, more connected society.

At Fujitsu we believe in the power of difference to create a better future for everyone. We aim to create an environment where everyone can be themselves and feel able to contribute for the success of the Company.

We live in a world where everyone and everything is becoming more connected. It is creating new opportunities and new threats. From using sensors to help farmers grow better crops to designing augmented reality software with field engineers, our approach is to work in partnership with our customers — with our Graduates and Industrial Placements at the heart of our work.

If you are talented, enthusiastic, and keen to make a difference — you can succeed in our organisation. We respect people regardless of their background, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone.

We call this Human Centric Innovation — bringing together people, information and infrastructure to create real value from ICT.

59TH 77.6%

Gist Limited is a leading temperature controlled logistics company with a long history, spanning over 100 years. We work closely with our 3,000+ customers, which cover a wide range of sectors, including some of the biggest names in food retail such as Marks & Spencer, Dairy Crest, Starbucks and Eat. We are part of the Linde Group, a multi-billion Euro industrial gases business with 62,000 employees across 100 countries. A career with Gist is fastpaced and exciting. Our people are enthusiastic, driven and passionate to deliver the best results. Early responsibility, coupled with a supportive environment and hands-on training, ensure our people reach their full potential and have every opportunity to make a real difference.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 5,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers: From ÂŁ6.70/hour

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 15

Locations Available:

Barnsley, Crewe, Spalding, Hemel, Basingstoke, Thatcham, Bristol and Portbury

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

77.6%

School Leaver Programmes

Sponsored Degrees

Intermediate Apprenticeship

Candidate profile: Driven and enthusiastic, with the ability to focus on the critical aspects..

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Warehouse Operations Scheme

Our Warehouse Operations teams work within both ambient and chilled warehouses. The team handles goods from delivery to the warehouse, through to dispatch to store, focusing on safety and accuracy to provide an efficient and reliable service to our customers. As an apprentice you will start the programme working within a team of warehouse operatives learning how to intake products, pick orders and load vehicles. There will also be shadowing opportunities within our site engineering, transport, customer services and administration teams to help you fully understand the whole site operation. In years two and three we will give you the opportunity to work with a Warehouse Team Manager in order to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to become a Warehouse Team Manager yourself in the future. During this three-year programme we will support you every step of the way in gaining a certificate in Logistics, Level 2 Intermediate, in the first year followed by a certificate in Logistics, Level 3 Advanced in the second and third years.

Network Planning Scheme

Our Network Planning team plan all of the daily deliveries for our major customers. These schedules are key to our business as they outline the best, most cost effective routes for our drivers to take in order to deliver the goods to store within a 15-minute delivery window. As an apprentice you will work with the team to provide daily transport plans, using specialised software. You will build relationships with customers and transport managers at all the sites, becoming one of our experts in how our transport operation is run. You will also take part in various projects giving you exposure to senior management and insight into how major businesses are run. On this two-year programme we will support you through gaining a recognised qualification in Business Administration, up to Level 4 Higher, based on previous academic achievement.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/gist

Looking for...

Entry requirements: GCSE English Language and Maths at grades A*-C.

@Gist_World

https://www.facebook.com/ Gist.FutureBusinessLogistics https://www.linkedin.com/ company/gist

68TH 73.3%

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Awards

11th

75.1%

FINALIST

Advanced Apprenticeship

Best School & College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

Intermediate Apprenticeship

FINALIST

18th

69.1

For over 100 years, IBM has been creating innovative solutions and products that have changed not only business, but the world.

Higher Apprenticeship

Right now, we’re working to integrate systems and technology to tackle the world’s biggest challenges head on. From climate change to water conservation there’s a lot to do, and we need people with ideas. People just like you.

School Leaver Programmes Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 400,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers: £15,000

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 100

Locations Available:

Portsmouth, Warwick, Manchester, Winchester, London

Best Use of Social Media in a School & College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

FINALIST Best Use of School & College Engagement in a Recruitment Campaign

Looking for...

Business and Technology Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships at IBM are all about picking up new skills and lots of them. It’s a permanent scheme with three years of brilliant training, including the Advanced Apprenticeship for IT Professionals qualification, lots of exposure and an experience you simply couldn’t get anywhere else. If you’ve decided to dive straight into the world of work after college we believe our apprenticeship is one of the best learning experience out there. We offer apprenticeships in both Business and Technology and with a variety of different roles available we’re bound to have something to suit you.

Futures Internships

IBM Futures Internships offer between six and 12 months’ worth of experience that could transform your future prospects. You might be uncertain about whether to start work, complete an apprenticeship or go to university, if that’s you and you are unsure about what to do next, IBM Futures Internships are for you.

Candidate profile: Creative, young people who like to problem solve.

Entry requirements: Minimum five GCSE grades at C or above, including Maths and English. 160 UCAS points (or equivalent), received or predicted.

The internships offer you an invaluable opportunity to work with a world-leading company, broadening your horizons and giving you a head start in your career. @IBMUKcareers

https://www.facebook.com/ IBMUKcareers https://www.linkedin.com/ company/ibm

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/ibm

Whether you’re taking a year out before heading off to university or you’ve decided that university isn’t for you, our programmes will enable you to jump straight into the world of work and gain the experience, skills and contacts you need to start building a bright future. Our Futures programme offers between 6 - 12 months’ worth of experience that could transform your future prospects. Our Apprenticeship scheme is all about picking up new skills and lots of them. It’s a permanent role including three years of brilliant training, lots of exposure and an experience you simply couldn’t get anywhere else. What could you make with IBM? ibm.com/jobs/uk

15TH 87.9%

Jaguar Land Rover’s Apprenticeship Scheme is recognised as one of the best, offering ambitious apprentices the chance to learn and develop while gaining commercial experience and recognised qualifications. Learning from the best and working on projects that will have an impact on Jaguar Land Rover’s global success, our Apprenticeship Schemes reward ambition, develop excellence and help build impressive careers. Jaguar Land Rover offers unrivalled training, support and opportunity.

Key Statistics

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Awards

Higher Apprenticeship

3rd

87.7%

FINALIST

Advanced Apprenticeship

2nd

89.4%

Intermediate Apprenticeship

School Leaver Programmes

Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Advanced Pathway Apprenticeships

No. of Employees: Starting Salary for School Leavers:

Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship £217 per week, Higher Apprenticeship £17,255 per year

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 100

Locations Available:

Merseyside, Wolverhampton West Midlands, Warwickshire

FINALIST Best Opportunities for Career Progression

FINALIST Best School & College Leaver Recruitment Website

RUNNER UP Best Advanced Apprenticeship

WINNER Best use of Social Media in a School & College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

Combine college-based learning with hands-on training gained at one of the Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plants or vehicle workshops. Your first year will be spent at college, learning the engineering basics you’ll need in your role at the company. Outside of term time, you’ll be working alongside members of the JLR workforce, as well as receiving mentoring and support. During your second year, you’ll have a more hands-on role within plants or workshops, as well as attending college two days a week while studying for further qualifications. All course fees are paid by the company, and candidates gain NVQ2 and 3 qualifications, as well as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

32,000

Best Higher Apprenticeship

Degree apprentices spend the majority of their first year at college studying engineering fundamentals before gaining hands-on experience in the part of the business to which they’ve been recruited. Second year students attend college for two days a week attend the University of Warwick on a block-release basis later on. Apprentices can qualify for certificates such as NVQ2, 3 and 4 and ultimately work towards a full BEng degree in Applied Engineering from the University of Warwick. All course and tuition fees are paid for by the company.

Finance & Accounting Degree Apprenticeship As a Degree apprentice within Finance you’ll combine institution-based learning with professional experience gained on-site at the company. You’ll attend the BPP University College of Professional Studies in Birmingham, completing courses and exams fully paid for by Jaguar Land Rover. In the first 18 months you’ll study towards the CIMA Certificate Level qualification qualifying as a CIMA Chartered Accountant. You can also take a top-up degree to gain a BSc in Professional Accounting, and continue to gain invaluable professional experience in Finance disciplines across the entire business, helping to shape the company’s financial affairs.

Looking for... Candidate profile: Jaguar Land Rover’s schemes are for people with a passion for learning. They are for people determined to succeed, who will make the most of the training and qualifications.

Entry requirements: Advanced Apprenticeship Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths, English and a Science, Technology or Engineering related subject. Degree Apprenticeships See the Jaguar Land Rover careers wesbite for the separate requirements for the Engineering and Finance & Accounting Degree Apprenticeships. @JLRCareers https://www.facebook.com/ JLRApprenticeships Jaguar Landrover Careers instagram.com/jlr_ apprentice/

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/jaguar-land-rover

37TH 82.2%

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Mazars is an international accountancy firm specialising in audit, advisory, accounting, tax and legal services.

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Intermediate Apprenticeship

We operate in over 70 countries and draw on the expertise of 15,000 professionals.

School Leaver Programmes

11th

82.2%

From the first day you arrive at Mazars, you will be welcomed with rewarding work, a great client list and supportive colleagues â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all crucial ingredients you need to inspire and educate you as you study for your qualification.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 1,600

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

Excellent Salary + Benefits

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 35

Locations Available: Across the UK

Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available

Candidate profile: We want driven professional individuals who excel at working with others, who have the ability to communicate at a high level and who share the same values as Mazars. Alongside this you must be able to demonstrate analytical skills, commitment and drive.

Audit School Leaver

Audit Trainees will support on audit assignments for a broad range of clients, covering a number of sectors/sizes, from privately owned business up to fully listed companies. You will help the team form a view on whether a financial report reflects the financial position of the organisation at a given date and draft reports expressing this opinion. The outcome of your work will contribute to providing various stakeholders with assurance of an organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial and accounting records.We will fund for you to study towards the CFAB qualification followed by the ACA/CA qualification.

Entry requirements: Grade B or above in Maths and English GCSE 280 UCAS points.

@Mazars_UKCareers

Internal Audit Trainee

You will support management with the delivery of Governance Risk and Internal Controls (GRIC) across a broad range of clients, covering both public and private sectors. By presenting an objective view, you will support the Internal Audit team in providing clients with independent assurance regarding the effectiveness of their risk management, governance and internal control processes. We will fund for you to study towards the AAT qualification followed by the IIA/ ACCA qualification.

Tax Trainee

You will support the Tax Team on the delivery of high quality compliance and advisory tax services to clients, across a broad range of clients, covering a number of sectors/sizes ranging from privately owned business up to fully listed companies. You will help provide effective tax compliance and strategies to companies and individuals. We will fund your study towards the ATT qualification followed by the ACA/CTA qualification.

Trainee Accountant

You will support the Accounting and Outsourcing Services Team by preparing statutory accounts for a wide range of clients. You will support management in the preparation of statutory accounts, year-end financial statements/accounts, maintaining accounting records and preparing management accounts for clients within set time scales while studying towards professional qualification. We will fund your study towards the AAT qualification followed by the ACCA qualification.

Trainee Financial Advisor

You will assist in the provision of financial plans and advice to prospective and existing private clients. We will fund your study towards the CII Certificate followed by the CII Diploma.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/mazaarsibm

Looking for...

https://www.facebook.com/ MazarsGroup https://www.linkedin.com/ company/mazars-uk

t Moore Stephens is the UK’s ninth largest accounting and consulting firm, comprising some 1,700 partners and staff in 39 locations. We have built our business by focusing on key business sectors, enabling us to deliver practical, commercial solutions to our clients’ unique issues. Moore Stephens International is the 10th largest accountancy network comprising over 600 offices in 103 countries.

Programmes available School leaver opportunities Joining Moore Stephens LLP’s AAT programme will allow you to gain a recognised qualification with the Association of Accounting Technicians and build your experience in the profession. We are looking to recruit into a number of different areas, including;

Outsourcing

This team provides clients with the full range of accounting and back office services, including bookkeeping, accounts preparation, management accounting, VAT compliance, forecasting and budgeting, and any other ad hoc accounting advice and assistance.

Governance, Risk & Insurance

Key Statistics No. of Employees:

740 in London, 73 partners

This team provides advice on a wide range of issues, including lossreserving, taxation, solvency and regulatory compliance, management information systems, litigation support and forensic accounting. Clients include London underwriters, P&I clubs and other mutuals, reinsurance companies, London market and retail brokers.

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

Corporate Audit

No. of School Leaver Vacancies:

Those starting their career at Moore Stephens will benefit from: enhanced in-house bespoke training to supplement AAT study; a good work/life balance; working on a diverse portfolio of clients, gaining a range of experience; clear career paths; the social side, supporting the charity of the year, and taking part in the corporate social responsibility scheme.

Competetive

Locations Available: London and Reading

You’ll join a pool of trainees who provide audit and accounting services to managers and partners.

Looking for... . interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills Strong Sound commercial awareness. An interest in a career in accounting and obtaining the AAT qualification.

Entry requirements: Achievement of grades A to C in at least five GCSE subjects. Achievement of at least grade B in Maths and English Language GCSE subjects.

@msllp_careers

https://www.linkedin.com/company/moore-stephens

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/moore-stephens

An independent organisation, the National Audit Office (NAO) helps Parliament hold the government to account on how taxpayer money is spent. It also aims to improve public services and help the country spend its funds wisely.

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

School Leavers Scheme

Lasting for five years, participants earn the qualifications for a chartered accountant while being paid a competitive salary. The first two years are spent studying for the CFAB and the last three are focused on the ACA qualification. The mix of tuition and hands-on experience means that participants get well-rounded training.

Key Statistics Looking for... No. of Employees: 810

Enthusiastic, analytical students who are good communicators.

Starting Salary for School Leavers: ÂŁ23,060 (London), ÂŁ17,572 (Newcastle)

No. of School Leaver Vacancies:

Entry requirements: Grade B or above in Maths and English GCSE. 300 UCAS points.

Locations Available: London & Newcastle

Social Media @NAOorguk

https://www.linkedin.com/company/naoorguk

https://www.facebook.com/NAOorguk

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/national-audit-office-nao

1ST

91.5%

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Intermediate Apprenticeship

1st

91.5%

Overall Ranking

Established in 1990, National Grid is an international electricity and gas company that plays a key role in delivering energy to millions of people. Serving the UK and north-eastern USA, it is one of the largest investorowned energy companies in the world.

School Leaver Programmes Sponsored Degrees

Overall Score

Awards RUNNER UP Best Job Satisfaction

RUNNER UP Best Opportunities for Career Progression

WINNER Best School Leaver Programme

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 28,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers: Variable

Electrical & Instrumentation – Advanced Apprenticeship (3 years) Apprentices maintain and control the instrumentation and electrical equipment which ensures the gas network operates to the highest standard.

Emergency Response – Advanced Apprenticeship (2 years)

Apprentices will learn and train to be part of the emergency first response team to deal with public reported gas escapes.

Candidate profile: Hardworking and responsible individuals with great communication skills.

Pressure, Control & Storage – Advanced Apprenticeship (3 years)

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: 201

Apprentices are based at one of our UK operational depots and trained in maintaining mechanical equipment that transports gas. Trainees can expect to travel up to a 50-mile radius.

Locations Available:

Substations – Advanced Apprenticeship (3 years)

Nationwide

Looking for...

Substations deliver electricity into local networks; apprentices will learn how to identify and resolve any issues with these Substations.

Entry requirements: Varies across the different programmes.

Pipeline Maintenance – Advanced Apprenticeship (4 years)

The Gas Pipeline Maintenance Centre provides a 24/7 emergency response service to National Grid UK Transmission, UK Distribution and third party operators of the gas transmission and distribution networks.

Overhead Lines – Advanced Apprenticeship (3 years)

Apprentices learn to maintain and repair overhead line assets. The work may involve assessing damage by climbing towers or viewing from helicopter, so trainess need to be happy working at heights.

Cyber Security – Higher Apprenticeship (2 years)

The Digital Risk & Security division is devoted entirely to managing cyber risk, leading cyber-security and risk management across the whole business.

Solutions Architect – Higher Apprenticeship (2 years)

Apprentices build knowledge of the software development lifecycle, gain experience delivering business value and use design/architecture tools, supporting the senior design authority.

Engineer Training Programme (2/3 years)

The nine programmes available ensure trainees are equipped with all the skills needed to be a National Grid engineer. Benefits include: a competitive salary, a company car during study for a Foundation Degree or HNC, and a guaranteed job on successful completion.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/national-grid

@nationalgriduk

https://www.facebook.com/ NationalGridUK https://www.linkedin.com/ company/national-grid

Advanced Apprenticeship Programme Starting salary £1x,{ 0 p.a. – GCSE requirements Engineer Training Programme (a fully funded foundation degree) Starting salary of £23,500 p.a. – A2 level entrance requirements National Grid’s job is to connect people to the energy they use, safely. We are at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society—delivering clean energy to support our world long into the future. National Grid holds a vital position at the centre of the energy system. We join everything up. We own and manage the grids that connect the energy sources to the people that use it. We’re the largest utility in the UK, running systems that deliver gas and electricity across the entire country, connecting people to the energy they use. We all rely on having energy at our finger tips: our society is built on it. From the warmth and light we rely on at home, and t the power which keeps our factories and offices going, to the mobile communications and other technologies that are essential parts of our modern lifestyle. We’re investing around £30billion over the next 8 years to develop and renew the UK’s energy infrastructure,

leading the way on renewable energy. There’s never been a more interesting and exciting time to join National Grid. At National Grid we’re passionate about our “grow our own strategy” and our suite of GCSE to degree level career path development programmes. It’s little wonder that they are recognised for excellence and innovation – after all, we’ve been running some for well over 23 years – so they are some of the best you’ll find anywhere. The Advanced Apprenticeship has a Beacon award recognised for excellence and innovation in further education training and is graded by Ofsted as outstanding in every category. The Engineer Training Programme was established 8 years ago to grow our own engineering talent and the programme was developed with Aston University to provide a foundation degree in Electrical Power Engineering and Gas Transmission Engineering.

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4TH

Nomura is an Asia-based financial group that seeks to unite the markets of the East with those of the West. Since 1925, it has expanded into a global group with 27,000 people in 30 countries. It has three wholesale businesses – Global Markets, Investment Banking, Corporate Infrastructure – and an EMEA headquarters in London.

91%

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

1st

91%

School Leaver Programmes

Sponsored Degrees

Intermediate Apprenticeship

No. of Employees: 27,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers: Variable

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: Not specified

Locations Available: Not specified

School leaver opportunities Offered in HR Advisor, HR Analyst Centre and Learning & Development, these all involve assisting the on a range of issues including recruitment, payroll, learning and development, employee training and development programmes, and various advisory services.

Best Newcomer

RUNNER UP Best Company Culture

WINNER Best Intermediate Apprenticeship

Looking for... Candidate profile: Enthusiastic, analytical students who are good communicators.

Multimedia Apprenticeships

This department provides audio, visual and multimedia support to events management. Apprentices will gain solid training in these technologies, as well as an overview of Broadcast Hardware and Film Editing Software, in line with the CTS accreditation.

Entry requirements: A-levels

Operations Apprenticeships

Apprentices train for a Level 3 Investment Operations qualification and work in transactions, troubleshooting problems, documenting process flows, assisting with client service initiatives and building successful international colleague relationships.

Real Estate and Services Apprenticeships

Based in the Health, Safety and Environmental Team, apprentices will assist on the company environmental management system, monitor environmental legislative changes, liaise with environmental staff and assist with the daily operations of the Real Estate & Services Team.

Technology Apprenticeships

In an industry-leading technology team, the first year of this programme involves gaining a relevant NVQ qualification. Successful apprentices will go onto a secondary qualification in the following year. There will be hands-on work with cutting edge applications, supporting the company’s systems and on general infrastructure.

Other opportunities (e.g. insight days or open days)

First Step Sixth Form

This three day event gives A-level students exposure to a corporate environment, covering business presentations, career advice and guidance, and interactive skills sessions. Interview skills and a CV workshop are also included, with participants giving a group project presentation for assessment at the end of the programme.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/nomura

RUNNER UP

Programmes available Human Resources Apprenticeships

Key Statistics

Awards

@Nomura

https://www.linkedin.com/ company/nomura

Make an impression Build your investment banking career at Nomura Uncover the spirit of a business with deep experience in building financial markets since 1925. With a global network spanning over 30 countries, we’re able to connect our retail, asset management and wholesale clients to opportunities – wherever they are. We are now looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders to join our highly nimble and diverse workforce. If you want to make an impression and build a long term career in investment banking, come and discover more about Nomura. This could be a perfect fit for you.

To find out more and apply, visit www.nomura.com/careers

© Nomura International plc 2015. Nomura is the global marketing name of Nomura Holdings, Inc. (Tokyo) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries worldwide including Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited, licensed and regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, Nomura Securities International, Inc (New York), a member of FINRA, NYSE and SIPC and Nomura International plc (London), authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority and member of the London Stock Exchange. This is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell securities.

33RD 82.8%

Founded in 1986, Pret A Manger is a brand that aims to sell fresh, healthy food in a market saturated with additives and unhealthy options. With kitchens in almost every store to ensure freshness, Pret has expanded to 380 stores in the UK, USA, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Key Statistics

Overall Score

Higher Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Best School or College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

Intermediate Apprenticeship

WINNER

9th

82.8%

School Leaver Programmes Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Pret School Leaver Programme

Running for one year, this scheme is a full-time, permanent role that requires a 35 hour working week.

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

All participants start the course together so are able to support each other through the programme and, upon completion, will have earned a Level 3 Apprenticeship.

£7.90/hour (Central London) £7.70/hour (Regions) – both

No. of School Leaver Vacancies:

RUNNER UP

Honeybea Youngman, School or College Leaver of the Year

Looking for...

No. of Employees: 9,000

Awards

Overall Ranking

With 80% of Pret’s Managers having been Team Members, there is a great possibility for further progress within the company.

Candidate profile: Bright, enthusiastic staff who are not afraid of early starts!

Entry requirements: Preferably GCSE Maths and English at A*-C level.

Locations Available: All over the UK

@pret

https://www.facebook.com/ pretamanger https://www.linkedin.com/ company/pret-a-manger

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/pret-a-manger

100

26TH 84.8%

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

5th

86.2%

Awards FINALIST

We’re one of the world’s leading professional services organisations.

Higher Apprenticeship Advanced Apprenticeship

Best Use of Social Media in a School & College Leaver Recruitment Campaign

From 157 countries, we advise some of the most successful organisations, entrepreneurs and private businesses. We tackle lots of different issues for loads of different organisations, entrepreneurs and private businesses.

Intermediate Apprenticeship

FINALIST

School Leaver Programmes

3rd

82.9%

We help with big deals and big changes to their structures and businesses. We advise them on tax. We make sure they’re getting the most out of their IT. We help them plan ahead to manage risk, make sure they’re sustainable, and profitable. Everything to do with measuring, protecting and enhancing what matters most to our clients.

Key Statistics No. of Employees: c.19,000

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

Competitive plus benefits

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: c.300

Locations Available:

Sponsored Degrees

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

PwC School Leaver Programmes

Join one of our school and college leaver programmes in Assurance, Consulting, Deals or Tax, and you’ll earn a competitive salary while you study towards a professional qualification designed by employers and professional bodies from across the sector. Just like our graduate joiners, you’ll work on varied, challenging client or internal projects which make a real difference to the world of business. You’ll be coached by experts in their field and build the in-depth knowledge you need to build a successful career in business. At the same time, thanks to our study support, you won’t need to worry about paying for course and exam fees, textbooks or revision materials.

Sponsored Degrees

Awards RUNNER UP Best Higher Apprenticeship

Programmes available School leaver opportunities

Higher Apprenticeships: Assurance & Business Services

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 1,500

Starting Salary for School Leavers:

Our Assurance & Business Services Team provides a range of services to a diverse client base, ranging from small businesses and family enterprise start-ups to non-profit organisations. As part of this team you could be working with managing and financial directors, checking that numbers stack up with fact. This means providing advice and solutions that really make a difference to mid-large corporates, professional practices and charities.

Competitive

Many of our audits last just one or two weeks, so you’ll quickly gain exposure to a variety of businesses. You’ll also build valuable client experience, developing the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective auditor and trusted business adviser. Alongside work, you’ll receive first-class professional training as you study for the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification.

Locations Available:

Higher Apprenticeships: Business Tax

Competitive

No. of School Leaver Vacancies:

All over the UK

Our Business Tax Team provides tax and consulting services to a wide range of companies, from quoted multinational groups to ownermanaged businesses. Our tax advice is designed to meet clients’ agreed commercial objectives considering all relevant taxes, not only corporation tax. We provide practical advice, regularly negotiate with HM Revenue & Customs and sit on a number of leading industry committees. You will study for the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and Chartered Taxation Adviser (CTA) qualifications.

Higher Apprenticeships: Private Client Tax Service

Our Private Client Tax Services Team helps individuals from all walks of life with their tax issues. With over 6,000 private tax clients and 1,500 trusts, our client base is incredibly diverse. Today, we provide services to high-net-worth individuals, non-domiciled individuals, landed estates, trusts and professional practices. The Private Client Tax Services Team can deal with compliance obligations and reporting requirements while also advising on domestic and international issues through our Nexia International network. As part of this team you will combine hands-on practical experience - which could be advising on tax efficient strategies or helping clients with financial planning - with study towards the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and the Chartered Taxation Adviser (CTA) qualifications.

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/smith-williamson

104

Looking for... Candidate profile: Diligent school leavers who are committed and motivated to studying towards a professional qualification, be able to deliver first class client service and work effectively as part of a team, demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing and have a high level of general commercial awareness.

Entry requirements: Grade B in Maths and English GCSE. 280 UCAS points.

@SmithWilliamson

https://www.linkedin. com/company/smith-&williamson

Higher apprenticeship programmes in Accountancy and Tax School leavers are often looking for an alternative to university and our new higher apprenticeship programme will allow you to earn a full-time salary, whilst being supported towards a professional qualification and gaining hands-on experience in a job.

“The chance to earn a professional

“It was the earning and learning aspect

qualification with no personal expense

that drew me more towards a higher

was too good an opportunity to miss”

apprenticeship rather than university. ”

Dominic, Accounts Apprentice Southampton

Katie, Audit Apprentice Bristol

Are you ready to start building a career with a clear difference? For more information and to apply, visit: www.smithandwilliamsontrainees.co.uk

63RD 75.9%

Overall Ranking

Overall Score

Advanced Apprenticeship

36th

70.9%

Intermediate Apprenticeship

19th

77.3%

It’s been over 80 years since the first Volvo truck was built back in 1928 and nearly 50 years since the first Volvo truck was sold in the UK.

Higher Apprenticeship

Today however, Volvo is the second largest producer of heavy trucks and transport solutions in the entire truck industry. It supports customers with more than 2,300 dealerships and workshops in over 140 countries and is dedicated to safety, quality and care for the environment.

School Leaver Programmes

Sponsored Degrees

Key Statistics No. of Employees: 18,997

Starting Salary for School Leavers: Competitive

No. of School Leaver Vacancies: Not specified

Locations Available: Across the UK

Candidate profile: School leavers who want to provide excellent customer service and to be part of a team, with a real interest in the retail motor industry.

Programmes available Entry requirements: School leaver opportunities

Technician Apprenticeship Programme

This Advanced Apprenticeship programme, lasting three years, covers all aspects of truck and bus maintenance and repair. Apprentices are trained by recent industry served master technicians, with emphasis on electronics, diagnosis and computer management systems. Most of apprentices’ time is spent within a dealership gaining experience with on-the-job training, under the guidance of a trained mentor, plus 15 two-week periods at the Volvo Training Academy, based at Stephenson College in Leicestershire. Technician apprentices gain a Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Principles VRQ (technical certificate) and Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Competence QCF (practical competence).

Aftersales Apprenticeship Programme

Apprentices follow a two-year programme, bespoke to Volvo, which covers every aspect of the Aftersales operation. Emphasis is placed on stock management, product and motor vehicle knowledge, effective customer service techniques and ensuring customers’ needs are identified and expectations are exceeded. Most of the two years is spent learning on the job, under the guidance of a mentor, however apprentices also receive 10 weeks’ (spread over two years) in-depth training and development at the Volvo Training Academy, based at Stephtenson College in Leicestershire. Aftersales apprentices gain a Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Principles VRQ (technical certificate) and Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence QCF (practical competence).

Find out more: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/volvo

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Looking for...

Grade C or above in GCSE Maths, English and Information & Communication Technology, or the Scottish Certificate of Education at Grade C or above.

@VolvoTrucksUK

https://www.facebook.com/ VolvoTrucksUK https://www.linkedin.com/ company/volvo-trucks-uk

Could you be the next apprentice? Volvo Truck and Bus Technical/Aftersales Apprenticeship Opportunities 2015 and beyond If you are aged 16 or over and are looking for an opportunity with great prospects, look no further. Volvo Trucks are industry leaders in their apprenticeship programmes and are looking to invest in their next apprentice. Volvo’s technician apprenticeship programme offers a complete training package which will equip you with essential skills for a head start in your career. You will become an important part of Volvo’s Dealer Network and will be responsible for driving and delivering Volvo’s high standards in quality and customer service. By the time you complete the course you will have gained a qualification and will have covered all aspects of truck and bus maintenance and repair – a great start to your career. For more information visit our website. For an application form please contact Bethany Francis on 08456 091 286 (UK only) / +44 1926 414 243 or email hrservices@volvo.com

www.volvotrucks.co.uk

Search: VolvoTrucksUK 53801

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spent hundreds of hours producing this information, speaking with young people, school leaver employers, and teachers and careers advisers like you, to create the most comprehensive guide for young people to understand all of their options as a school leaver.

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AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk | Ultimate Guide

“I love the style and the tone. It really works well with young people and explains many of the concepts better than I could.” “For us it’s about providing our learners with the best resources we can. This is a great publication and an excellent investment.” “I couldn’t believe the statistics. This guide has made a real difference to our students and has helped them understand their options.” AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk | Ultimate Guide

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Interesting factsâ&#x20AC;Ś 76% of school and college

students plan to go to university

1 in 10 students donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know

what they want to do after school or college

45% of school and college students feel under pressure to go to university

1/3 of young people use

social media to look for jobs or apprenticeships

Figures from The School & College Leaver Careers Market 2015 Annual Research Report

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AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk | Ultimate Guide

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